Day to remember

There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]

'Take some time to think about our POWs and MIAs'

FARMINGTON -- For three years, nobody knew if Jay Hess was dead or alive.

Hess, a longtime Farmington resident, spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam -- part of that time at the notorious Hanoi Hilton, where U.S. soldiers endured miserable conditions and torture.

The former Air Force pilot was shot down during a bombing mission over North Vietnam in 1967 and captured by North Vietnamese forces. His status was missing in action until 1970, when he was finally able to write a letter to his family in Utah.

"My family didn't know if they would ever see me again," Hess said. "And I didn't know whether or not I was going to live through it, either."

Despite years of deprivation, indignity and imprisonment, Hess said he never felt forgotten.

"One of the great things about this country is that we do everything possible to try to account for everyone that was asked to serve," he said. "We care about our soldiers."

Hess said he encountered about 500 other U.S. soldiers during his imprisonment, and in order to survive, the group became a family.

"Of course, we wondered what would become of us, individually," he said. "But I think for most of us, the main thought was to help each other. What could we do to support each other and help each other stay alive? We became brothers."

Sept. 18 was National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day. Observances were held all across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitals, schools, and veterans' facilities.

Hill Air Force Base held a special ceremony to honor all service members who were imprisoned or missing. The ceremony included about 150 airmen in military formation, reveille, and the posting and retirement of colors.

"Some are actually known to us and have served with us, and some are unknown," said Hill Chaplain Carl Wright. "But none will be forgotten."

The ceremony took place at Hill's south gate, near the newly dedicated monument for Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, Senior. Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner and Special Agent Ryan Balmer, who were killed in Iraq in 2007.

"We can never forget those who made such incredible sacrifices for our country," said Col. Linda Medler, 75th Air Base Wing commander, "and also those who are still missing in action and still sacrificing for us."

Hess said knowing people haven't forgotten about you can make a world of difference for a soldier who is certain about little else.

"As the days pass on, sometimes we can have a tendency to forget -- it's important every now and then to give ourselves a little reminder and take some time to think about our POWs and MIAs," he said.

"As a soldier, everything is in doubt, but knowing people haven't forgotten you makes a huge difference when you are going through it."

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of six days throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Comments

Add a comment...

Name:
Comment:
Security Code:	Type the characters to the left in the box exactly as they appear.
Your IP:	38.103.63.55 This address is recorded for security purposes.