Photo By Tech. Sgt. Timothy Moore | Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melvin Pollack stands in silence before a wreath...... read more read more
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Members of Team Ramstein came together for a ceremony to remember and honor missing service members during National POW/MIA Recognition Day Sept. 16.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established as part of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act. Currently, more than 82,000 U.S. service members and civilians are still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action from wars dating back to World War II.
The ceremony was the conclusion of Ramstein’s weeklong commemorations.
To further honor those unable to attend, Ramstein invited retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Melvin Pollack, a former Vietnam War POW to attend several of the events.
Earlier in the week, Pollack spoke to students attending the Kisling NCO Academy about his experiences. He also attended Ramstein’s POW/MIA Tri-Wing Run.
Attendees had the opportunity to view information about former POWs as well as speak to Pollack during a Friday luncheon.
“Troops all ask me, ‘Lessons learned?’” Pollack said. “There are three very simple lessons. Never, ever give up. Never underestimate your own abilities, and believe in the Code of Conduct.”
While conducting his 78th combat mission as an F-4 Phantom pilot, Pollack was forced to eject over North Vietnam on July 6, 1967.
“The ride down in the parachute was quiet and serene except for the buckets of sweat that were pouring off of me and the realization of where I was,” Pollack said.
Pollack mentioned how people never think and hope it will never happen to them, but when it did he was glad he had the Code of Conduct to lean on as a guide.
“The locals were pretty good to me,” Pollack recalled. “They lived in caves. They fed me some rice gruel and let me lay down with my busted up F-4 back. That night the North Vietnamese militia came to get us.”
He spent 2,068 days as a POW and was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973.
Pollack also spoke about his experiences as repatriated service member. Pollack served until 1984, 11 years after he was released.
In an earlier interview, Pollack spoke of his motivation for continuing to be a part of the POW/MIA recognition ceremonies.
“If we can give back something that helps out you guys and gals, to show heritage, answer questions, to show you to enjoy life now because it goes by fast, that’s why we do this,” Pollack said.
The host of the event, Col. Andra Kniep, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 435th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, thanked Pollack for his continued support.
“Thank you very much for being here,” Kniep said. “Thank you for your remarks. … It’s a great opportunity to invite someone out here to honor them and also for them to be able to interact with us, with our Airmen. So, it’s a great way for us to remember all those Americans who have sacrificed so much for us and for our country. … We cannot say enough to you for what you have done – your service, your sacrifice – throughout your career.”
Directly following the luncheon, Pollack and Kniep were joined by Brig. Gen. Richard G. Moore Jr., 86th Airlift Wing commander, and Col. Bradley Spears, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing vice commander, in laying a wreath to conclude the ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2016 08:07 |
| Story ID: | 210142 |
| Location: | RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RP, DE |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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