Columbus AFB celebrates Air Force’s 69th birthday

  • Published
  • By 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

Columbus Air Force Base Airmen and members from the local community spent the evening of Sept. 17 celebrating the 69th birthday of the U.S. Air force at the Trotter Convention Center in Columbus, Mississippi.

More than 400 attendees enjoyed music from the 41st Army Band, Mississippi Army National Guard “The Governors’ Own,” from Jackson, Mississippi. The theme of the ball was “Airpower through the Ages.”

The Columbus AFB Honor Guard received some special assistance during the traditional POW/MIA ceremony. Jo Shumake, daughter of retired Col. Glynn Schumake, a B-17 World War II pilot and former POW, retired Lt. Col. Gene Smith and retired Col. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, both Vietnam F-105 pilots and former POWs, participated  with some of the symbolic memorializations at the POW/MIA table.

The ceremonial Air Force Birthday Ball cake was cut by the oldest and newest Airmen present. Clifton Bailey, who was one of over 20 members of the 49th Fighter Squadron Reunion in attendance was joined by the newest member, Airman 1st Class Kelsey Ganter who works in the 37th and 41st Flying Training Squadrons as an Aviation Resource Manager.

The guest speaker of the evening was former POW Harris. On April 4, 1965, while on a combat mission, Harris’ F-105 aircraft was hit and he was forced to bail out over enemy territory. He was captured immediately and spent the next eight years as a POW in various prisons where he was confined, mistreated, and tortured. He is credited with introducing the tap code to POW’s so that they could communicate between cells.

During his remarks, Harris described his experience of being a POW and his interaction with other POW’s at his campsite. He created an image of being knocked off his stool, kicked, and threatened with death if he did not cooperate. He said that the North Vietnamese would torture them with “immense pain,” but avoided anything that would leave scars.

He wrapped up his time by saying, “May God bless the men and women who serve on the forward edge and bless the land of Liberty we call America.”

The Air Force Ball Committee made a donation in the name of Harris to the Happy Irby Christmas Fund, which provides clothes and toys to underprivileged children in Columbus at Christmas time, to thank him for speaking at the ball.

The evening ended with the singing of the Air Force song and dancing by all in attendance.