News-Info-Alerts

Re: Ceremony & Flyover

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: September 24, 2002

"Heroes of war recognized at Beale
Ceremony, flyover honors POWs, MIAs
Dave Nielsen/Appeal-Democrat

Daniel Witter Appeal-Democrat

Obie Wickersham can visualize the small mud huts and armed Chinese guards who loomed around him at the Wee-Won prisoner of war camp in North Korea.

For 21/2 years during the Korean War, Wickersham and other American GIs struggled against despair in the POW camp.

It was a struggle many GI's lost, he said.

So when Wickersham and hundreds of others observed POW/MIA day at Beale Air Force Base Thursday, the plight of those GI's missing or imprisoned were remembered.

He and other Mid-Valley POWs were present when a wreath was unveiled to remember all of those POWs and those missing in action from all American conflicts.

A missing man formation with T-38 jets flew overhead and one peeled up into the sky as the rest continued in a straight path. The solemn tones of Taps played following a 21-gun salute.

Master Sgt. Stacey Brown paused to remark on the cost of their sacrifices. "We have lost many men and women to war," he said before a row of squadron flags.

"Many warriors too have been taken prisoner and later released. And most heartbreaking for the families left behind are those still missing in action, not yet returned nor accounted for," he said.

Since WWI, 142,000 have been POWs and 90,000 are still missing in action, according to the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

Some of those who came home were Wickersham, Bob Coe, Hugh Brown, Fred Evans, Doris Barnett and Ray Merritt. They were present for the ceremony with their spouses.

Ninth Reconnaissance Wing Vice Commander Col. Mike Newell honored them was well.

"We are humbled and deeply grateful for your extraordinary and difficult effort you gave on behalf of our nation," he said.

Raymond Merritt, a retired colonel who was imprisoned for 71/2 years during Vietnam War, spoke at a luncheon to remember POWs and MIAs. He chose to remember them instead of talking about his own experiences.

But when asked how he got through his experiences, he said he had faith that he would be freed.

After his speech, he said he planned out six months ahead and rescheduled those plans each time the six months closed.

Although he was freed, he remember that many others remain missing and the nation should never stop looking for the.

"It is imperative we keep seeking those," he said."