Columbus AFB members honor POW/MIA at ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The men and women of the 14th Flying Training Wing gathered at a ceremony at Smith Plaza to remember and pay their respects to those servicemembers declared a prisoner of war or missing in action.

Former Vietnam War POW Retired Lt. Col. Richard "Gene" Smith was the guest speaker at the event, which featured a missing man aerial formation, retreat ceremony and the laying of a wreath in honor of lost, but not forgotten, Americans.

"What I want to say to all of you (Airmen) is that your country is behind you," Colonel Smith said.

Colonel Smith was a prisoner of war five and a half years and was repatriated March 14, 1973. After repatriation, he was assigned to Columbus Air Force Base as the commander of the 50th Flying Training Squadron.

The vice commander of the 14th FTW, Col. George Ross, said the ceremony was a chance for everyone to recommit to ensuring everything is done to account for those lost in war.

"When you see the POW/MIA flag, I ask you to never forget our special comrades, those who were prisoners, and those whose status is still unresolved," Colonel Ross said. "Our nation has not forgotten nor will our nation ever forget. We are unwavering in our commitment to return home any American taken prisoner of war or who are missing in action, or unaccounted for."

During his comments, Colonel Smith said every man and woman serving in todays military should keep to three priorities to aid them in their service. He said they should their god, their nation and their families in their minds.

He also said that one event during his capture led to great hope amongst him and his fellow POWs - the November 1970 raid at Son Tay.

The Son Tay raid saw U.S. military forces attempting to rescue POWs from the North Vietnamese, but unfortunately while the raid itself went well, upon entering the cells they discovered the POWs had already been moved to a different location.

Colonel Smith said while the mission didn't end up freeing him or his comrades, it did send a message to everyone who heard of it.

"What that mission said to us, to our nation and to the North Vietnamese was that our people are important to us and we will do whatever we can to help them," Colonel Smith said.