RAF Mildenhall announces POW/MIA events

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  An assortment of events for Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Week of Remembrance is scheduled for Sept. 12 to 19, 2014, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

Organized by the POW/MIA Fallen Comrades Committee, these events are scheduled to include a 5 km run, a luncheon at the Galaxy Club, a 24-hour vigil and a retreat ceremony to end the week of recognition for all POW/MIA personnel.

"The ceremony goes along with a lot of military traditions, not just in the Air Force but all branches," said Master Sgt. Lashawndra Ramsey, POW/MIA Fallen Comrades Committee chairman from Columbus, Georgia. "It's so the family members know that even though their loved one(s) may be in POW/MIA status, they are not forgotten."

The scheduled events are as follows:

· Sept. 12: The week of remembrance starts with a 5 km run in honor of POW/MIA Week. Attendees will form up outside of the Hardstand Fitness Center at 3:30 p.m. Airmen participating in the run are authorized to wear POW/MIA-affiliated T-shirts instead of the Air Force physical training shirt.

For more information, contact Master Sgt. Jereck Duplessis at DSN 238-5782 or commercial at 01368-545782.

· Sept. 17: At 11 a.m. the POW/MIA Fallen Comrades Committee is hosting a luncheon at the Galaxy Club on base. The luncheon will give attendees the chance to hear personal stories from former POWs and to ask questions afterward.

For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Ontoria Governal at DSN 238-2061 or commercial at 01368-542061.

· Sept. 18 to 19: Starting at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18, the 24-hour wing vigil will take place at the POW/MIA Memorial outside building 239. Volunteers will take turns reading names of POWs and service members listed as MIA. After reading for their allotted time, they will be relieved by another volunteer and proceed to watch over the memorial for five minutes. This routine continues for 24 hours.

Service members should wear the uniform of the day and civilians should dress in smart casual clothing.

For more information, contact Master Sgt. Ronald Garbarini at DSN 238-3869 or commercial at 01638-543869.

· Sept. 19: To conclude the week, a retreat ceremony will be held outside of the 100th Air Refueling Wing Headquarters building to honor all POW/MIA personnel.

The uniform for the ceremony is scheduled to be the Airman Battle Uniform or flight suit and participants should be in place by 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Bruce Starks at DSN 238-6760 or commercial at 01368-546860.

"Anyone is allowed to participate or volunteer," Ramsey said. "We have a lot of opportunities and events, so anyone who is interesting in knowing more about POW/MIA Week of Remembrance or just wants to help is welcome to volunteer or attend."