380th AEW commemorates POWs, MIAs from deployed location
By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson , 380th AEW Public Affairs
/ Published November 11, 2008
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- More than one-fifth of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing stepped up for a Prisoner of War, Missing In Action Memorial Run here on Veteran's Day.
Two-hundred seventy-six runners relayed the POW/MIA flag over a 24-hour period in commemoration of those who've fallen or been taken prisoner in service to their country.
Capt. Ryan Harris, 380th AEW Finance Office comptroller, organized the run. "As members of the Armed Forces, Veterans Day is our holiday," he said. "Although some of us in the (Area of Responsibility) are unable to spend Veterans Day with our family this year, some veterans have been kept away from their families for years as prisoners of war."
The 380th AEW Honor Guard ceremoniously removed the POW/MIA flag from the 9/11 Memorial here at the start of the run. The flag was handed to the first runner, Master Sgt. Dwayne Allen from the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. He stepped out with two running mates for the first half-hour increment after an invocation by Chaplain (Maj.) Thomas Elbert, Jr.
The intent of the memorial run is to progress the POW/MIA flag for 24-continuous hours, according to Captain Harris. "We're only pausing to pay respect during retreat and taps," he added.
The runners and organizers each had individual intentions for participating in the run, but the deployed personnel's underlying reasons had a common theme: to remember those who've fallen while traveling the path they're currently on.
"My folks once told me the story of my great uncle who died in World War II while serving in the Army," said Capt. Raymond Orr, a project manager for the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Engineering Flight. "I wanted to honor him and the other POWs and MIAs as well."
The event was a fitting tribute as current deployed members sacrificed their time and much-needed rest to keep the 24-hour vigil going.
"We need to do our part to ensure (POWs/MIAs) are not forgotten, especially on Veterans Day," Captain Harris said.
Runners carried the flag at an average of seven miles per hour during the first nine hours of the run. At that rate the flag will be carried 168 miles by the end of the run.
The run began at midnight Nov. 10 and will continue until midnight Nov. 11 when the 380th AEW Honor Guard will return the flag to its place at the memorial.