Team Dover honors POW/MIA Published Sept. 24, 2013 By Senior Airman Jared Duhon 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Team Dover took time to honor those listed as missing in action and taken as prisoners of war by participating in a run and vigil here Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, 2013. The run started at 3:30 p.m. from the Air Force Mortuary Affairs parking lot. Starting at revelry the following day, a vigil was set in place around the base flag pole where Airmen stood watch over the flag. Tony Lee, a retired master sergeant. and chapter president of the Air Force Sergeant's Association, participated, along with three other retired military members, in the vigil. Lee helped to create Dover AFB's first POW/MIA day 14 years ago. "The Air Force Sergeant's Association took the lead to develop a way to recognize POWs and MIAs," said Lee. "We wanted to make something we felt was not getting adequately publicized at the time get noticed." The POW MIA vigil started as an initiative to bring Airman back to their roots, said Lee. "We would bring in troops to do revelry to retreat watches," said Lee. "It feels really good to see the folks still doing it." The run was led by Col. Rick Moore, 436th Airlift Wing commander, followed by representatives from all four branches of service, with their respective flags, along with a flight of Airmen from Dover AFB. Airmen ran for a total of 24 hours with, the POW/MIA and U.S. flags in shifts of 15 minutes. "The idea behind the run is to keep the flags moving, symbolizing that they are not forgotten," Master Sgt. Chris Winfield 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron distribution supervisor. "If we can't give POWs and MIAs 15 minutes then we are in the wrong business. You should never forget where you come from and never forget those who served before us." One runner, Jessica Gravers, 436th Dental Squadron dental assistant, said it felt good to honor and show appreciation not only to those before her, but also the families and friends of the POWs and MIAs. "The day is to remember them and to ensure the families and friends know that their loved ones' sacrifices are not forgotten," said Gravers. "It is really important to make sure we don't forget, we are taking their place and I would hope that if something happened to me that no one would forget that I severed this county too. They put down the ultimate sacrifice for our country." Master Sgt. Lori Tascione, 436th Operations Groups executive superintendent, also believes in honoring those before the current generation of military members. "They are the ones who gave all and sacrificed so much for our country," Tascione said. "And, without their sacrifices we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today. I personally think about them every day when I say my prayers because I couldn't be here without them." Brigadier Gen. (ret.) John Reynolds, a former POW, spoke at the event about the grief families and friends go through when their loved ones go missing and the imperative need to never forget. "Some volunteered for dangerous missions and some were just doing their job," said Reynolds. "But all sacrificed and deserve to be remembered, to have the important things they have done for our freedoms never be forgotten."