Hurlburt recognizes POW/MIA day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ali Flisek
  • Public Affairs
Hurlburt Field, Fla. --  Hurlburt Field Airman gathered in the Freedom Hangar, Sept. 14 for a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action ceremony to honor Americans who have been taken prisoner during times of war and remember those who are still missing in action.

The ceremony began with retired Lt. Col. Les Matheson, dressed in the traditional Scottish attire, playing "Skye Boat Song" on the bagpipes. After the POW/MIA wreath was displayed by the Hurlburt Field Honor, Col. Brad Webb, 1st Special Operations Wing Commander, made opening remarks.

"We are grateful to all who have served and on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we give special honor to the patriots who have been prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action," said Colonel Webb.

Traditionally, the POW/MIA Recognition day is held on the third Friday of September. However, Hurlburt Field honored our fallen hero's a week earlier because of the upcoming Order of the Sword ceremony.


Retired Col. Howard Hill was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Dec. 16, 1967, while on his 70th combat mission over North Vietnam, Colonel Hill's aircraft was shot down by an attacking MiG-21. Captured immediately, he became a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton until being repatriated March 14, 1973 during Operation Homecoming.

"The Air Force was very kind to my family while I was gone. The U.S. is the only nation that goes to the lengths we have to recover our Soldiers," said Colonel Hill.

In 1971, the POW/MIA flag was designed and distributed. Other than the American flag, the POW/MIA flag is the only flag to fly over the White House and flies continually on the Capitol's rotunda. The flag's message is spread through its visibility and is flown to remind America of its responsibility to stand behind those who make the ultimate sacrifice and do everything possible to account for those who don't return.


July 18, 1979, was the first commemoration to honor America's POW/MIAs. Also in 1979, Congressional resolutions were passed and a national ceremony was held at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. The President now signs a National POW/MIA Recognition Presidential Proclamation each year.