TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — For the 25th year in a row, the 81st Range Squadron’s annual Prisoners of War and Missing in Action vigil run has helped the community to remember those who “gave it all.”
“It’s amazing the way this country cares for and honors veterans when they’re missing,” said Col. Mark O’Laughlin, 325th Fighter Wing vice commander.
Friday was National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
O’Laughlin spoke at the concluding ceremony for the run at Flag Park on Tyndall Air Force Base on Friday. At 3 p.m. Thursday, Tyndall airmen started running laps around the park for 24 straight hours to honor POW/MIAs. Runners took turns passing a baton in their honor to keep it moving for the duration of the event.
Staff Sgt. Brent Wardrip, weapons director for the 81st and organizer for this year’s event, said close to 300 people ran, including 27 groups from around the base.
“We raised about $1,600 in donations,” Wardrip said. “It will all go to Warrior Beach Retreat.”
Wardrip said it was neat to see so many people get involved with making the run a success.
“I think it emphasizes the Air Force does care and that we have a mission toward bringing them back,” he said.
Close to 83,000 service members from past wars are still missing. The Department of Defense partners with task forces all over the world to maintain a continuous search for the remains of war veterans.
The goal is to locate and identify lost service members through DNA testing and return the remains to family members for an honorable burial and much needed closure.
“For military folks especially, it’s a very important day,” said Tony Salvo, commander of VFW Post 8205 in Parker. “No one is left behind, and we’re searching all over the world today.”