McConnell remembers prisoners of war, missing in action with week-long activities

The sun hadn’t yet risen over McConnell Air Force Base on Monday morning as a formation of seven airmen, one civilian and a young boy wearing Spiderman pajamas made a solemn march around the base.

Carrying an American flag and a POW/MIA flag, the group was the first of many to march on the base’s “Memorial Walk” to honor American soldiers, sailor and airmen who were held as prisoners of war or are listed as missing in action.

The march was the first event in a week-long list of activities that culminates with National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Friday.

For 12 hours on Monday, different groups that all fall under the 22 Air Refueling Wing took turns carrying the flags along a path that weaves for over a mile on the northeastern side of the base. The pathway is lined with stone markers honoring military members and civilians who served at the base.

While the marchers made their loops, with each loop taking about 20 minutes, volunteers stood at a podium where the march began and read aloud the names and home states of more than 1,800 POW/MIA’s.

Master Sgt. Rommel Blanco was one of the organizers of the event and said that the base had to scale back some of the events planned this week due to COVID-19. On Monday, marchers were limited to 15 people at a time, and were required to wear masks if they couldn’t maintain six feet of social distancing. Family members and civilians with base access were welcome to take part.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, designating the third Friday in September to remember POW/MIA’s.

On Wednesday afternoon, a wreath will be placed at the flagpole of the base headquarters during a short ceremony.

A POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony will be held on Thursday, and will feature guest speaker Lt Col William R. Schwertfeger (retired), who was held as a POW in North Vietnam for 13 months and now lives in Kansas.

This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 3:49 PM.