TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --
Team Tinker hosted the annual POW-MIA Breakfast to honor
those military members who were prisoners of war, or have been declared
missing-in-action.
In keeping with honor and tradition, the ceremony reserved
a table to pay tribute to those service members still listed as MIA. Set for
five, the table served to honor those missing comrades from each branch of
service: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. A round table
represents the everlasting concern for missing men and women. Upon the table, a
white cloth serves as the purity of the motives to answer the call of duty; a
single red rose in a vase symbolizes the life of each missing comrade and their
loved ones; the vase, tied with a ribbon, represents continued determination to
those still unaccounted for; a slice of lemon, to serve as the bitter fate of
those captured; a pinch of salt, to signify tears endured by those missing, and
their families who seek answers; and, a full glass to denote the inability to
take part in the morning’s toast.
In the 24 hours leading up to the ceremonial breakfast,
Team Tinker members of all ranks kept the POW-MIA flag moving, as a symbolic
gesture to remind those service men and women that they are to never be
forgotten, and that pursuits shall never cease to bring them home. The vigil
run resulted in 160.15 miles in total, finishing at the start of the breakfast.
The youngest Airman received the flag from vigil runners and holstered it near
the POW table, symbolizing the next generation of Airmen.
Paying homage to those service members, guest speaker
retired Col. Charles B. DeBellevue spoke to the valor displayed by the heroes
in the room. These heroes, he said, served in assignments they didn’t care for,
tortured by the enemy in ways that would make one’s stomach turn.
“They showed a lot of courage – inner courage – to survive
some of the things they had to survive,” Colonel DeBellevue said. “But what is
courage? Is courage the lack of fear? No, certainly not. Courage is taking
charge of your fears. As a commander, courage is spearheading those fears, and
being a leader.”
The colonel served as a command pilot with over 3,000
flying hours, 550 of which were in combat. His military decorations include the
Air Force Cross, three Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, six Distinguished
Flying Crosses and 18 air medals. The leading Ace from the war in Southeast
Asia, Colonel DeBellevue retired with 30 years of service, and was the last
American Ace on active duty.
Observances of National POW-MIA Recognition Day are held
across the nation on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols,
schools and veterans’ facilities. Traditionally, it is held on the third Friday
of September each year. This day is one of six days throughout the year, which
Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families’ POW-MIA
flag. The others being Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence
Day and Veterans Day.
The POW-MIA flag is to be flown at major military
installations, national cemeteries, VA medical facilities, the World War II
Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the
offices of the secretaries of state, defense and veterans affairs, the director
of the selective service system and the White House.