JOINT BASE ANDREWS. Md. –
The Air Force Sergeants' Association chapter 102 held its annual POW/MIA ceremony Sept. 16 at the Airmen Memorial Museum in Suitland, Md.
"Today and every third Friday of September is POW/MIA Recognition Day, a day of remembrance and hope for safe return of American Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action," Said Chief Master Sgt. Pat Battenberg, Air Force District of Washington command chief.
In addition to the third Friday of Sept. each year, federal law requires that the POW/ MIA flag be flown on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans day at all U.S. post office buildings, Veteran Administration, military memorial facilities and U.S. government buildings Battenberg explained.
"It represents every one of us, everyone who's ever served, and those who were lost," Battenberg said. "You must never forget those sacrifices."
After the brief history of POW/MIA Remembrance Day, the memorial ceremony began.
Service members representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard, ceremoniously saluted wreaths representing their respective services and each of the service's songs were played.
"It was truly an honor to represent the Air Force at the POW/MIA Ceremony and do what very little I could to remember those who have served before me and fallen in the line of duty," said Airman 1st Class Vanessa Sanchez, 1st Airlift Squadron communication systems operator. "We live day in and day out serving our military, so to take a moment to really think about all the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice was very emotional. "
At the ceremony's conclusion, attendees were invited to tour the Airmen Memorial Museum.