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Mighty Ninety remembers POWs, those MIA

Airmen 1st Class Siobhan Lynch, Javon Hill-Gee, Kristen Pressler and Eric Feigner, 90th Missile Wing ceremonial guardsmen, prepare to post the colors Sept. 16 during F.E. Warren Air Force Base's prisoners-of-war and missing-in-action ceremony in the Fall Hall Community Center as part of Warren's POW and MIA Remembrance Week events. The ceremony consisted of the posting of the colors, a symbolic demonstration setting of the POW and MIA table, and a story of the experiences of a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle)

Mighty Ninety remembers POWs, those MIA

The service caps of each military branch sit on a table in the Fall Hall Community Center Sept. 16 during the prisoners of war and missing in action ceremony in observance of POW and MIA remembrance week . The table remains empty in remembrance of the men and women who never returned home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle)

Mighty Ninety remembers POWs, those MIA

Army Maj. (Ret.) Ted Gostas speaks to Airmen about his prisoner of war story from the Vietnam Conflict during the POW and missing-in-action ceremony in the Fall Hall Community Center Sept. 17. Gostas spoke of the trials and conditions he faced during his five years in captivity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle)

Mighty Ninety remembers POWs, those MIA

Airmen from 90th Missile Wing Staff and 90th Comptroller Squadron march on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Sept. 16, 2014, in honor of prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. Military installations country-wide conducted events in observance of POW/MIA Remembrance Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lan Kim)

Mighty Ninety remembers POWs, those MIA

Published Sept. 22, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Everybody faces daily challenges in their life. All servicemembers make sacrifices for their country; however, every year we are humbly reminded of those who faced and sacrificed much more.

Thousands of men and women serving in the Armed Forces throughout the past 100 years have had to live their lives as prisoners of war, and many never returned home. More than 78,000 people are unaccounted for from World War II, 8,000 are missing from the Korean War, and 2,646 are missing from the Vietnam Conflict.

The 90th Missile Wing held two events Sept. 16 in observance of POW and MIA Week.

"This event consisted of two different portions where we honored our POWs (and MIAs)," said Master Sgt. Faith McNelley, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. "The first was in the morning with the run/walk ruck march at the parade field where individuals carried the POW/MIA and American flags for 30 minutes that continued through to the afternoon. The second event consisted of the ceremony, where we honored [servicemembers] who have come before us."

The ceremony included the posting of the colors by the 90th MW Honor Guard, a symbolic setting of the POW and MIA table, a speech from a Vietnam veteran about his experiences as a prisoner of war during the conflict, and closing remarks from the wing commander.

"It is important for us to come out and remember the actions of our brothers-in-arms, the prisoners of war and those missing in action," said Col. Tracey Hayes, 90th MW commander, during her closing remarks of the ceremony. "It is important for us to not only recognize those who have suffered in the past, but also those who may face the same hardships in the future."

Army Maj. (Ret.) Ted Gostas spoke during the ceremony of his experiences as a POW during the Vietnam War. Gostas was captured in February of 1968 and spent more than five years in captivity, four and a half of which were spent in solitary confinement. Gostas was released March 16, 1973.

"When I heard Mr. Gostas' story, I felt like I was in the moment, living what he lived," McNelley said. "He was so detailed and descriptive in what he went through. His description put you in that picture and painted it so clearly of what he endured."

During his closing remarks, Gostas expressed his admiration for the men and women currently serving in the armed forces.

"You men and women are facing great challenges today," he said. "You are strong, wise and courageous. I am proud that you are protecting me and the rest of this country. I love all of you for this."