JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
When a military member becomes a prisoner of war or goes missing in action, an immeasurable sense of unknown develops within the hearts of their friends and family members. The fear of capture, torture, injury and death begins to cloud their minds.
It was the desire of Joint Base Andrews’ military members to pay their respects to these individuals and their families that sparked this year’s POW/MIA Recognition Event, consisting of individuals sharing their personal stories, and running a lap around the base perimeter and 24-hour memorial run from Sept. 15 to 16.
“Events like this bring us together to remind us of our past and why we need to be here in the future,” said Master Sgt. Carrie Frederickson, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron Andrews Fire and Emergency Services assistant chief of operations. “It gives us the opportunity to respect those who, unfortunately, have fallen and those who are missing.”
To set off the event, Col. Sharon Bannister, 79th Medical Wing commander, spoke about her experience as the daughter of a man who went missing in action during the Vietnam War.
“No words can explain the years following [my father’s disappearance],” said Bannister. “There were many nights of tears, fading hope, and aching hearts that will never completely heal.”
For approximately 35 years, this daughter of an MIA military member wondered what had happened to her father until an excavation revealed his dental remains in a small Vietnamese village.
“In 2007, I was able to finish my story, but there are still many who have not returned and whose stories still need an end,”said Bannister. “Let them never be forgotten and keep their families and friends in your thought and hearts.”
Showing their dedication to this cause, leadership from seven different wings on base began the running portion of the event by traveling the approximately nine-mile base perimeter.
Following the initial activity, more than 200 Air Force, Navy and civilian participants joined forces to ultimately run a combined 11,495 laps, totaling 1,385 miles, in the span of 24 hours.
“We’re showing support and that we’re here for each other,” Frederickson said. “Displaying that will keep us motivated to do our jobs every day and signify why remembering POW/MIAs is important.”
The sacrifice these heroes and their families have made were highlighted by JBA’s community to ensure the recognition and remembrance of what they’ve done for the U.S.
“POW/MIAs teach us valuable lessons about strength, courage and honor,” said Lacy Rourke, National League of POW/MIA Families volunteer. “At its core, the issue of recognizing our missing men is a human one. It’s not about numbers or matrices or checked boxes, it is about knowing a story that has been left unwritten. It is about each of you standing here today being able to leave home and know that you will not be left behind.”