Kunsan Airmen remember POW/MIA day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Araceli Alarcon
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Members of the 8th Fighter Wing took time to remember fellow service members who are Prisoners of War and Missing in Action during a special ceremony here Friday.

Colonel CQ "Wolf" Brown, 8th Fighter Wing commander, presided over the event and shared his thoughts with members of the Wolf Pack.

"As we take time today to remember our POWs and MIAs, it is important to note that we still have more than 90,000 American missing in action since World War II to include 8,100 for the Korean War and 4 from current operations in Iraq," he said.

At the conclusion of his speech, Colonel Brown emphasized that Wolf Pack members should never forget their fellow service members for their sacrifices.

"I'd ask that each of us keep these Americans and their families in our thoughts and prayers, not just on National POW/MIA Day, but everyday. That is the least we can do."

Colonel Brown and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, 8th Fighter Wing command chief, laid a wreath honoring service members

Members of the 8th Fighter Wing base honor guard paid tribute to these individuals with a five-man colors team, a three-man retreat detail and six-man flag folding ceremony.

Airmen who participated in the event also expressed their thoughts on the significance of the ceremony.

"I feel that it's important for us to remember the sacrifices that our fellow service members have made for us. They endured so much so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today, said Senior Airman Steven Doty, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and co-event coordinator. "Often times we forget this and take for granted those freedoms and liberties. This day ensures we take time aside and remember those individuals,"

Concluding was a special performance from Senior Airman Robert Kalert from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron and former Tops in Blue member, singing "God Bless the U.S.A."