Joint Base Andrews, Maryland –
In honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day, Team Andrews participated in a 24-hourremembrance run here Sept. 17-18.
More than 300 civilians and military service members participated in the run. Unlike years past, the run took place at the Motorcycle Safety Course.
To kick-off the remembrance run, Ann Mills-Griffiths, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National League of POW/MIA Families, spoke to attendees and runners about the importance of remembering our POWs and how her organization assists in that endeavor.
"Your role in this can't be understated," Griffiths said. "Ending uncertainty and bringing facts to waiting families, friends and to our nation has been what we've done since 1970, what you're doing upholds the spirit and the letter of the Code of Conduct and what you all accept as the best possible effort to leave no one behind."
During the entirety of the event, members carried the POW/MIA flag around the
course. The intent was for the flag to stay in motion at all times, signifying the constant search for all POW/MIA.
"Because of your adherence to such high principals, Americans across the country are indebted to all of you," said Mills, "not only for your service to our country, but what you do for those who have not yet returned."
POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually across the country on the third Friday of September. On this day, service members take time to pay homage to those who were POW or are still MIA.
Coincidently, the recognition day coincided with Andrews Airshow this year and the two planning committees worked together to ensure the remembrance run was part of the show.
"The end of the run began the Andrews Airshow's DoD-only Rehearsal Day opening ceremony, "said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Erhard, POW/MIA Remembrance Run committee chairmen.
Marine Corps (Ret.) GySgt Ryan Rivera and members of Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 102 ran the POW/MIA flag to the show center to mark the start of the show.
"We do this run every year and we do it in honor of POW/MIAs, "said Erhard.
President Obama stated in a proclamation, "On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we express the solemn promise of a country and its people to our service members who have not returned home and their families: you are not forgotten."