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Base run honors POWs/MIAs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shane Ellis
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Thirty-seven members of the 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., helped keep a POW/MIA flag in motion during a 24-hour vigil run Sept. 16 -17 at the base running track.
 
The 24-hour run was held in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day which honors servicemembers who never returned home from combat and those held captive as prisoners of war.

Forty-one teams participated in the event which was made up of 530 servicemembers, Department of Defense employees, family members and friends. Each team carried the stark black and white flag honoring America's prisoners of war, and those missing in action, for a minimum of 30 minutes. During the 24-hour run, the participants logged over 1,300 miles.

Constantly in motion, the running of the flag represented the tough conditions the prisoners' of war endured during captivity, America's promise to never forget the Americans' still missing in action, and the dedication to never stop searching for them until all of them are returned home.

Master Sgt. Jeff Fareta, a loadmaster superintendent with the 16th Airlift Squadron, was the overall event coordinator.

"It's an honor to be part of this event," said Sergeant Fareta. "At the same time, it's a humbling experience. Many Americans who served this country in battle never made it home, and many suffered much pain as prisoners of war. This run is just a small token of our appreciation for the price these brave men and women paid."

Chief Master Sgt. Terrence A. Greene, the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 437th Airlift Wing, carried the flag during the final journey of the event that concluded with a retreat ceremony at the base flag pole.

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