Team McConnell marks POW/MIA week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  More than 83,000 Americans remain unaccounted for from conflicts dating back to World War II, according the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Team McConnell is honoring those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines during POW/MIA Week, from Sept. 8 - 11 through a series of events hosted by the McConnell-Chapter 972 of the Air Force Sergeants Association.

"The words 'I defend my country with my life, I am faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor and legacy of valor... and I will never leave an Airman behind' are why it's important for all Airman to honor those declared POW or MIA," said Master Sgt. Ieaka Olmstead, McConnell-Chapter 972 legislative chair.

One event will take place each day of the week:

· Installation Reveille ceremony at the flag pole in front of Bldg. 1, Sept. 8, at 8 a.m.

· Retired Capt. Guy Gruters, who was a Vietnam POW for more than five years, briefly alongside Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance P. Sijan, will give a speech at the Robert J. Dole Community Center, Sept. 10, at noon.

· A 24 hour relay will be held on base from 8:30 a.m., Sept. 10 until 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11.

· The final event of the week will be the Patriot Day Retreat in front of Bldg. 1, Sept. 11, at 4:30 p.m.

"It is more important than ever that we don't lose our customs and traditions that our creed references," said Olmstead. "Just as I believe those warriors used ingenuity to stay alive and fight the enemy, we have to do the same. They came up with ways to communicate, keep a rank structure and even uphold formation. The least we can do is take time out of our day to acknowledge and honor their sacrifice with the reveille, reflection and relay tributes."

All Team McConnell are welcome to participate, and Airmen assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing have been authorized to wear black T-shirts underneath their Airman battle uniform blouse from Sept. 8 - 11 by the order of Col. Albert Miller, 22nd ARW commander.