LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Honor. Power. Dedication.
These are some of the words that weighted the air during Lackland's first-ever POW/MIA 24-hour Vigil Run, Sept. 18.
Col. William H. Mott's, 37th Training Wing commander, words were equally succinct on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Standing in the middle of eight flights of basic military trainees forming a cross, Colonel Mott traced the heritage of servicemembers that served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War - a legacy ubiquitous when he entered the Air Force in 1981.
"Those men were prepared and they had the fortitude to withstand seven years in confinement," Colonel Mott said. "Think about this course - eight and a half weeks - this is fun. They were there for years."
For Colonel Mott, the day served to recognize the service's heritage.
"What we carry forward, we use to prepare for the next conflict," he said. "Remember those who have gone before, who gave it all, who are missing in action, who have served as POWs."
Integral to BMT, it's also about preparing for the future.
"Some people say (POW/MIA Recognition Day is) sorrowful and very sad," Col. Mott said. "I think it is very powerful and very strong to take the strength that those men exhibited almost 40 years ago and apply it to what you are going to do out in the Air Force. There's a reason why (BMT) is tough because eventually, perhaps unfortunately, some of you may be in an equally tough situation."
Moments later, Col. Shane P. Courville, 737th Training Group commander, watched nearly the 400 trainees in attendance march in silence at the 323rd Training Squadron's track.
"The importance of this day, for BMT specifically, is it happens to coincide on a Friday, the day we graduate our newest Airmen," Colonel Courville said about remembering POWs and MIAs."
The vigil, organized by the 323rd TRS, began midnight with members of squadron teams running in 30-minute blocks throughout the day until midnight Saturday.
While the 737th TRG commander illuminated the big picture, Lt. Col Matthew J. Whiat, 323rd TRS commander, narrowed the lens a bit more.
"The whole point of this is to create warrior Airmen of character," Colonel Whiat said. "This is part of their heritage. That's why they are running in silence, why there are no jodies."
He said the 24-hour run was also indicative of the Military Training Instructor work ethic.
"When they are pushing a flight, my guys are going to work on average 120 hours per week," the lieutenant colonel said. The fact that we're doing a 24-hour run shows exactly the dedication shown day in and day out."
323rd TRS MTIs Tech. Sgt. Michael Padgett and Staff Sgt. Scott Weimer set the day's objectives into action.
"We ran with it," Sergeant Padgett said. "When I was at Tyndall AFB, Fla., we did this very same event. I didn't have to be asked twice to come out here. Even when they played taps, you get (goose) bumps just being apart of this day."
Sergeant Weimer said it's a way to teach trainees and recognize the people that once stood in their place.
He said, "We wanted to do something where we could have the POW flag visible at all times, and obviously we can't put these trainees in a box for 24 hours - we can't put them through what these people went through. It calls attention to the day."
Master Sgt. Pete Candelario, section II supervisor, 323rd TRS, had already been out at the track for six hours by 5:30 a.m.
"Pretty much the whole squadron staff ran the first hour when we kicked it off," he said, watching the trainees on the track before sunrise. "I'm ready to run again as soon as the flights are done. The commander and the staff will also run the final hour tonight."
In addition to the physical effort, 450 T-shirts were sold. Proceeds were donated to a POW/MIA charity through the government philanthropy program, the Combined Federal Campaign.
And like the handing off of the baton, laser-engraved with the POW/MIA symbol, from one runner to another, so the story of the POWs has been passed on as well.
"If I have 500 trainees here, and I only reach five percent of the them, then (they) will go on to their next base and do something on POW/MIA day and reach others," Colonel Whiat said. "We hope to make this event even bigger and better. This will start to become a staple here at Lackland."