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JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 7, 2016

'A Moment in Time' pays tribute to POWs, MIAs

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

A presentation that tells the stories of prisoners of war and missing-in-action service members will begin a weeklong tribute to those American heroes in dramatic fashion next week at Joint Base San Antonio.

This year’s POW/MIA Recognition Week will feature an event for each day of the week at JBSA-Randolph, starting with the production “A Moment in Time” from 1-2 p.m. Monday in Fleenor Auditorium and concluding with the Missing Man Vigil from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Missing Man Monument on Washington Circle.

“Since 1979, the Air Force Sergeants Association as well as countless organizations across the country have set aside a week in September to hold ceremonies honoring America’s POWs and MIAs,” said Master Sgt. Elizabeth Sewell, AFSA Chapter 1075 Family Affairs trustee. “This year we brought on the Air Force Personnel Center Top 3, Air Education and Training Command Top 3 and Randolph Top 3 in order to make this a true joint event. We also added a new event, the production ‘A Moment in Time,’ to kick off the week with a show that highlights the history of each war starting with World War I.”

The theme of the weeklong observance is “A Moment in Time” to mirror Monday’s production, which will feature service members “honoring the spirits of our POW and MIA service members,” Sewell said.

“It’s a play that tells the story of service members from World War I up to current-day operations,” she said. “The actors will wear the uniforms of those times and tell the stories of service members who were captured or who were declared missing in action.”

Other events planned during the week are a breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Parr Club, a commemorative 5K run/walk from 7-8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Eberle Park, a retreat ceremony from 4-4:30 p.m. Thursday at Washington Circle and the Missing Man Vigil from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Missing Man Monument on Washington Circle.

During the breakfast, sponsored by AFSA Chapter 1075, the stories of four families of MIAs will be told, said Sewell, who is the breakfast chair.

Cost of the breakfast is $12. Those who wish to attend must RSVP to rafbpow_mia2016@yahoo.com.

Sponsored by the AETC Top 3, the 5K run/walk will begin with military members leading the way with the United States and POW/MIA flags for the first quarter mile of the event.

Sign-up is at https://www.signmeup.com/115846. Cost is $10, which includes a commemorative T-shirt. The retreat ceremony is sponsored by the AFPC Top 3, said Master Sgt. Constance Pizeno, Air Force Evaluation Policy manager.

 “Col. Joel Carey, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, will offer words of remembrance, and the Air Force Band of the West will play the national anthem as the retreat detail team lowers the American flag for folding,” said Pizeno, retreat ceremony co-chair.

The Missing Man Vigil, sponsored by the Randolph Top 3, will conclude POW/MIA Recognition Week. This event will feature a wreath-laying ceremony and an all-day vigil to remember missing service members. Military members will stand at parade rest in 30-minute increments throughout the day.

Pizeno said it’s a great honor to participate in POW/MIA Recognition Week.

“We’re excited to be part of it for another year,” she said.

Sewell said the event is a tribute to the many Americans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“One of the promises we make is emphasized in the Airman’s Creed – ‘I will never leave an Airman behind,’” she said. “The POW/MIA Recognition Week is our way to honor those Americans who returned home to freedom and renew our commitment to account for and recover those Americans still missing.”