Base hosts POW/MIA Observance Breakfast

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katie Spencer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The 482nd Fighter Wing hosted an observance breakfast to commemorate National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day at the Falcon's Nest Club on Friday, Sept. 18. 

Guest speaker retired Marine Maj. and Rev. David Cleeland shared his thoughts on why Americans have volunteered to serve in the U.S. military during times of war throughout the nation's history. 

The ceremony also included a special POW/MIA performance by the base Honor Guard to remember those service members who never returned home. 

In addition, Brig. Gen. William Binger, 482nd Fighter Wing commander, shared a special moment in which he removed his remembrance bracelet that he wore in honor of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael S. Spiecher who was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over West-Central Iraq on Jan. 17, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm. Spiecher was repatriated in August, and now, Binger will wear the bracelet for another hero who remains missing in action. 

Music was provided by Staff Sgt. Johnny Holliday, 482nd Security Forces Squadron, who sang and played the saxophone during breakfast for the 80 guests in attendance. 

Observances are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans' facilities. Also, POW/MIA National Recognition Day is one of a handful of days throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the POW/MIA flag.