Kirtland to take part in POW/MIA Recognition Day

  • Published
  • By Adam Bailey
  • Nucleus staff writer
Sept. 20 is National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day and Kirtland will be hosting two events to recognize POW/MIAs.

"Many American warriors have made sacrifices to ensure our freedom. Some carry scars that can't be seen or will ever heal. Also, there are American warriors that never made it home. We are obligated to always remember the sacrifices made in defence of our great nation. The events of POW/MIA Recognition Day will be Team Kirtland's way of remembering our nation's prisoners of war and missing in action," said Master Sgt. Marco Escandón, POW/MIA Recognition Day contributor.

The first event Kirtland will be hosting is a 24-hour vigil run at Hardin Field. This will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 19.

"More than 150 military and civilian volunteers will keep the POW/MIA flag in motion around Hardin Field to honor those who have been prisoners of war or are missing in action," Escandón said.

Signups are being taken for 30 or 60 minute time slots. To sign up for th run, email Nicholas.Vincent@kirtland.af.mil.

In relation to the run, Team Kirtland Top III will be selling POW/MIA t-shirts with the proceeds being donated to the New Mexico Veteran's Memorial Park. To purchase a t-shirt, visit Bldg. 20220.

The other event is a POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony at the New Mexico Veteran's Memorial Park. This event will follow the run and take place Sept. 20 at 10 a.m.

"The Team Kirtland runners will deliver the POW/MIA flag to the New Mexico Veterans Memorial and then the Kirtland honor guard will post it during the POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony," Escandón said.

POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed nationally on the third Friday of September. This marks one of the six days that the Congress mandates the flying of the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag. The flag symbolizes that the United States will never forget the POWs or those who served for their country and are still missing.

The flag will be flown at major military installations, national cemeteries, all post offices, VA medical facilities, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the official offices of the secretaries of state, defense and veterans affairs, the director of the selective service system and the White House.