Ceremony features 88 ABW commander as guest speaker

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. --  Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander, served as the keynote speaker during the base's observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Sept. 26 outside the Arnold House in Area A. The event was coordinated by the base Chiefs Group.

The ceremony included an invocation, moment of silence, laying of wreaths before the POW/MIA memorial and formal retreat at the flagpole in front of Bldg. 10, 88 ABW headquarters.

Drawing on his experiences from commanding the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover AFB, Delaware, Devillier said the Air Force has a very extensive enterprise that works on identifying and bringing home the remains of prisoners of war and service members who are missing in action.

Part of that enterprise involves the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Agile Combat Support Directorate.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day "reminds us of our obligation we owe to these Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who gave up all of their tomorrows so we could enjoy ours," the commander said. "We have to remember that freedom is not free."

Devillier shared personal experiences he had with the families of recovered MIA Airmen.

"We never forgot their sacrifice -- that is one of the values of today's remembrance. We brought a small closure to that   family," he said, noting the emotional burden and suffering the families continue to carry and experience. He still exchanges phone calls with some of the widows and children of recovered MIA Airmen, he said.

As he closed his remarks, Devillier said, "Thank you for those 80,000-plus Americans who are still unaccounted for. We have to thank their families who are still   grieving ... We can't thank them enough."

Chief Master Sgt. Troy Eden, new command chief at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, served as the narrator.

"To be able to recognize our POWs and MIAs, to never forget, is our solemn pledge," Eden said. "Today is a manifestation of that statement. We will never forget you."