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POW MIA Recognition Day

Airmen run with American and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags in hand during POW/MIA Remembrance Day Sept. 20, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. More than 200 Team Dover members participated in the run, which amounted to more than 200 laps around buildings 200, 201, 202, 204 and 205. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

POW MIA Recognition Day

Senior leadership from the 512th and 436th Airlift Wings participate in an around-the-clock vigil Sept. 21, 2012, at the base flag pole in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day. It's one of six days specified by law on which the black POW/MIA flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices and military installations. Pictured from left to right are Col. Richard G. Moore Jr., 436th AW commander; Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Sirkis, 512th Maintenance Group chief enlisted adviser; Chief Master Sgt. James B. Lucas, 436th AW command chief; and Col. Raymond A. Kozak, 512th AW commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

POW MIA Recognition Day

Airmen run with American and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags in hand during POW/MIA Remembrance Day Sept. 21, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. More than 200 Team Dover members participated in the run, which amounted to more than 200 laps around buildings 200, 201, 202, 204 and 205. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

Missing, but not forgotten

Published Sept. 25, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- "The flags don't stop moving; keep the flags moving when you hand them off," commanded one of the runners between panting breaths.

The jogging formation approached their replacements, who likewise began to jog. With both parties in motion, the flags were passed forward: first the American Flag, and then the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag. As one group faded back, calling out, "that was five laps!" the other surged forward, flags in hand.

The runners orbited four silent, motionless guards who stood in a circular formation; from the formation's center extended skyward a flagpole that cast red, white and blue against the azure sky.

This scene was repeated time after time during the POW/MIA Remembrance Day Sept. 21, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

"The purpose of the [POW/MIA] run and vigil is to honor service members who cannot be here with us today," said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Smith, the NCO in charge of the First Term Airmen's Center. "[The participants] are here for a reason: they care."

More than 200 Team Dover members participated in the run, which amounted to more than 200 laps around buildings 200, 201, 202, 204 and 205. The run began at 4 p.m. Sept. 20, and continued 24 hours until retreat played the following day. The running teams were originally planned for two people per 15-minute shift; however, due to the abundance of volunteers, many teams included more than five.

"I ran to honor those who could not be here running alongside me," said Senior Airman Yanet Rouillard, a protocol specialist with the 436th Airlift Wing Protocol Office. "I kept saying to myself, 'I can't give up. The [POW/MIAs] didn't give up, so why would I?'"

The running circuit encircled the vigil at the flagpole. The vigil, which began at 6:35 a.m., consisted of four-man details that stood guard for 10-minute shifts. Every unit at Dover AFB contributed members to the vigil.

The day concluded with a retreat ceremony, during which the POW/MIA flag was flown; a fitting end to a day dedicated to America's men and women in uniform. Team Dover's message to them is clear: you are not forgotten.