MAFB pays tribute to POW/MIAs Published Sept. 30, 2009 By Senior Airman Wesley Wright Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The base paid tribute to prisoners of war and service members still missing in action during POW/MIA remembrance activities here Sept. 25. The day began with reveille in the morning and a day-long vigil where POW/MIA names from the Korean War were read nonstop until retreat signaled the end of the duty day. Volunteers also participated in a ruck march, which symbolized the fact Minot AFB has not forgotten its brothers and sisters in arms were captured or went missing in action. A ruck, which is a bag on a frame designed to help Airmen carry a heavy load over long distances, was carried by each of the Airmen participating in the ruck march throughout the day. "POW/MIA day allows us to take time to show our deep appreciation for the incredible sacrifices made by all these men and women and their families," said Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander. According to Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Pavlick, 5th Security Forces Squadron member and one of the event organizers, the reading of POW/MIA names personalized them to each Airman in attendance. "When you give someone a name they become real," Sergeant Pavlick said. "When the names are read one after the other it becomes a solemn event. You can see this at the vigil, as people show up to read, they are talking and laughing, but as the names are being read you not only see, but also feel, the change in their moods; when they do speak, they speak in hushed tones; they become quiet and reverent." The vigil organizer, Tech. Sgt. Eric Hall, 5th SFS armory noncommissioned officer-in-charge, was thankful for freedoms he enjoys due to the sacrifices of POW/MIAs. "Since I have headed up the vigil, the day has come to mean considerably more than before," Sergeant Hall said. "Taking the time to remember those who have sacrificed so much to give my family and I the freedoms that so many take for granted ... it is the least that I can do." One special guest who showed up to read names was 79-year-old, Korean War Veteran, Ken Schiele. The veteran lost many comrades in arms to the war and was very emotional at the reading. Recalling the names he read, Schiele said "They were from my hometown. Kids I went to school with. Kritchy was from Bottineau, North Dakota. And I was with him the day he died. Anyway, that is why I read their names off today. I get emotional at things like this, but it makes me proud to be able to do it." The 91st Missile Wing command chief master sergeant, Chief Master Sgt. Gergory Fleming summed up the solemn day with these words: "Events like today keep our resolve alive and give recognition to those who have endured the hardships of being a prisoner of war, missing in action and have also served to remind us that freedom is not free."