Holloman holds POW, MIA remembrance ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Each year, Team Holloman pays tribute to the American men and women of the armed forces who are missing in action and never returned home from combat, and to those who faced unthinkable suffering as prisoners of war in distant lands in the pursuit of defending American lives and liberties.

This year, the 49th Materiel Maintenance Group organized a POW and MIA remembrance ceremony to honor those brave servicemembers. Members and leaders of Team Holloman, as well as members and leaders of Alamogordo and the surrounding local communities were in attendance at Heritage Park for the ceremony Sept. 30.

After the singing of the National Anthem and Chaplain (Capt.) Shelia Wilson's invocation, Col. David Krumm, 49th Wing commander, thanked those in attendance and said a few words on his thoughts about those servicemembers that made the ultimate sacrifice and those that continue to do so.

"Today we remember our prisoners of war and those still missing in action," said Colonel Krumm. "Our former and current prisoners of war represent the pinnacle of strength and dedication ... They must know that we are not only aware of, but grateful for their incredible sacrifices ... We also remember those that are still missing. MIA status creates ambiguity and a level of uncertainty for their family and friends, and that although it's a severe test of their spirit; they need to know that our resolve to bring them home will never be broken."

Colonel Krumm then reiterated that the U.S. will continue to expend all available resources to bring those still missing back home.

"Our country will not rest until we have brought closure to our heroes and their families. As we stand fast in our duty to remember our prisoners of war, that commitment still rings loud and clear with our Armed Forces out on the battlefield today," he said.

The Wing commander closed his speech with the reciting of the last five lines of the Airman's Creed and a vow that our Air Force will always stand strong to carry out that promise.

"We still deploy, we still serve and we still fight knowing that our military and our nation will never abandon us," said Colonel Krumm. "It's a promise to our past, present and future that is embodied in the conclusion of our Airman's Creed ... Those words ring true today and will ring true forever."

After his speech, Cathy Brock, commander of the Department of New Mexico Veterans of Foreign Affairs, gave an account of two soldiers who were either a POW or went MIA during the Korean War. Hiroshi Miyamura, who at the time of the Korean War was a corporal in the U.S. Army assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, and Rudy J. Santacruz, a private 1st class in the U.S. Army assigned to the 7th Infantry Division.

Corporal Miyamura was a POW for over two years in a Chinese camp. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during an attack by Chinese soldiers prior to his detainment, and he is the only living Medal of Honor recipient that resides in New Mexico. Private Santacruz is one of 28 members of his Company still listed as MIA. Four members of his Company have returned as POWs.

Ms. Brock then stated numerous resolutions that the VFW has set up to account for the POWs and MIAs.

She closed her speech with a request to everyone in attendance.

"I ask all of you never to forget. I know I won't," said Ms. Brock.

The ceremony concluded with the reading of 12 names of New Mexico POW/MIAs, while an Airman from Holloman stood vigil in front of the POW/MIA memorial. For 24 straight hours, Holloman Airmen took turns standing vigil and making sure the eternal flame remained lit -- as a symbol that the POWs and MIAs of today and the past are never forgotten.