Edwards, local AFSA chapter honors POW/MIA servicemembers

Tech. Sgt. Donald Martinez, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron NCOIC of Ground Communications, runs with the POW/MIA flag to show his support along with Tech. Sgt. Rommel Blanco (right), 31st TES NCOIC of Maintenance Analysis, during the POW/MIA 5k run held Sept. 19 near the Edwards Express gas station. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Edwards, local AFSA chapter honors POW/MIA servicemembers

Jimmy Neal (left), Rod and Gun Club volunteer and lifetime member, assists Chuck Huggins, former Navy SEAL veteran, who had the opportunity to shoot skeet target presentations during a National POW/MIA Recognition Day activity at Edwards Sept. 19. During the day’s activities, the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1328 sponsored 16 guests and a POW's spouse from the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home for a tour of the base and the F-35 Integrated Test Force facility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Edwards, local AFSA chapter honors POW/MIA servicemembers

Published Sept. 24, 2014
By Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed the third Friday in September each year and this year's annual event was hosted by the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1328 at Edwards Sept. 19.

The day is held to commemorate and honor those who have gone missing in action or have been held as a prisoner of war while serving their country.

"Everybody gets lost in the fog of war going about their daily routines and it is easy for some to forget that everything we do is to support and defend our country," said Master Sgt. Erik Robbins, 412th Test Wing career assistance advisor and AFSA Chapter 1328 president. "By taking some time out to remember what it has cost and what it still costs today to defend that freedom, you honor the heroes from the past as well as the present. Ceremonies and traditions are part of being in the fraternity of the Profession of Arms and it is important that we take the time to remember that."

To begin the day's activities, a base 5K run was held in the morning with Lance Cpl. Carl Schlosser, from the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty-Two (VMX-22), finishing first with a time of 16:54.

Following the run, the AFSA chapter sponsored a visit from the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home, which included 16 guests and a POW's spouse, who were treated to a flag-folding ceremony conducted by the Blue Eagles Honor Guard.

"We wanted to do something different for our sponsored guests this year, so we decided to provide lunch, a flag-folding ceremony and a day at the Rod and Gun Club for some skeet shooting," Robbins said.

For one veteran, the experience was certainly different.
"It was nice to have a weapon in my hand after 30 years and to be able to come out to Edwards to remember and honor our fellow POWs and those MIA," said Chuck Huggins, former U.S. Navy SEAL.
After the Rod and Gun Club, veterans were given an opportunity to tour the F-35 Integrated Test Force facility and see an F-35 Lightning II up close.

"We organized all the day's events with exception of the F-35 tour, which was coordinated with the help of Staff Sgt. Jacy Morey, from the F-35 Aircraft Maintenance section, who also lead this part of the event," added Robbins. "All things considered, I'm glad we were able to take the time to remember what some had to endure as POWs and honor those that are still missing and show support for them and their families."