POW/MIA Run

KUNSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA

09.22.2014

Video by Chuck Gill 

AFN Pacific

The annual POW/MIA memorial run is held each year in hopes that the event will carry on the legacy of those who were lost fighting for America. But the true meaning of this day is best seen through the eyes of the volunteers and participants whose loved ones were lost to the cause. SrA Adam Harder takes you to the track, where for 24 hours, the POW/MIA flag flew to commemorate this great loss. Available in high definition.




REPORTER:
EVERY YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, AMERICAN FORCES CHOOSE TO HONOR PRISONERS OF WAR AND MISSING IN ACTION TROOPS WHO HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR FREEDOM OR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY. A SINGLE FLAG, WHICH REPRESENTS THE LIVES AND FREEDOMS LOST WHILE DEFENDING OUR NATION, MAKES ITS WAY AROUND THE TRACK AT THE HAND OF TROOPS WHO BEAR THE BURDON OF ITS MESSAGE…AND THE MEANING OF ITS LOYALTY.
MSGT RICHELLE BAKER:
THESE ARE POEOPLE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOM AND FOR OUR COUNTRY AND SO WE SHOULD PAY RESPECT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS. YOU KNOW, AND TO THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT LOSS. YOU KNOW, IT MEANS A LOT AND EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND IT.
REPORTER:
FOR 24 HOURS, THOUSANDS OF NAMES ARE READ. SADLY, THIS LIST IS ONLY A FRACTION OF THE MISSING TROOPS FOR WHOM THIS CEREMONY IS HELD.
CMSGT SYLVIA MORRIS:

IT’S SAD, YOU KNOW? BECAUSE TODAY I DIDN’T EXPECT, I WAS READING THE NAMES OF SOME OF THOSE FALLEN BROTHER AND SISTERS OF OURS. AND SOME OF THEM DIDN’T EVEN HAVE WHERE THEY SERVED. YOU KNNOW WHY? BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHERE WE LOST THEM AT. THAT ALMOST BROUGHT A TEAR OT MY EYE.
MSGT RICHELLE BAKER:
YESTERDAY I PROBABLY MISSED MY FATHER IN LAWS NAME BY A FEW MINUTES SO THAT MEANT KIND OF SOMETHING TO ME TO BE ABLE TO TELL MY MOTHER IN LAW THAT HEY, I HEARD HIS NAME.
REPORTER:
“GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN”. IT’S A SIMPLE MOTTO WHICH EXEMPLIFIES THE STRIFE OF THE LOST, AND THE GRIEF OF THE FAMILIES WHO LOST THEM.
CMSGT SYLVIA MORRIS:
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? IF YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER, OR A PARENT, WENT TO WAR…OR EVEN DEPLOYED OR WENT TO ANOTHER COUNTRY OR ANOTHER STATE AND THEY’VE SUDDENLY DISAPPEARED. WE OWE THEM, WE ARE INDEPTED TO THEM; FOR PAINTING THE PATH FOR OUR FUTURES. THEY MADE US WHO WE ARE, THEY MADE US BETTER. I BELIEVE THAT.
REPORTER:
AFTER A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, THE FLAG IS TAKEN TO IT’S FINAL STOP AMONG TROOPS FROM ACROSS THE BASE WHO HAVE GATHERED TO RENDER THEIR RESPECTS. A SINGLE DAY OF TRIBUTE, WHICH REPRESENTS A LIFETIME OF RECOGNITION FOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THE VERY FREEDOMS WHICH WE FIGHT FOR. SENIOR AIRMAN ADAM HARDER, KUNSAN AIR BASE, KOREA.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2014
• Date Posted: 09.22.2014 20:36
• Category: Package
• Video ID: 362141
• VIRIN: 140922-A-ZS680-595
• Filename: DOD_101960609
• Length: 00:02:24
• Location: KUNSAN AIR BASE, KR