POW/MIA

A wreath was presented in front of Capt. (ret.) Guy Gruters, a former prisoner of war, during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 21, 2012. U.S. military members used the week to remember the sacrifices and service of our nations POW’s, as well as those who are still MIA. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Aaron-Forrest Wainwright)

POW/MIA

Airmen line up to pay their respects to the prisoners of war and those still missing in action at Ramstein, Germany, Sept. 21, 2012. U.S. military members pause to remember the sacrifices and service of our nations POW’s, as well as those who are still MIA. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Aaron-Forrest Wainwright)

POW/MIA Day

Airmen and Soldiers start a 5k run to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action on Ramstein, Germany, Sept. 21, 2012. U.S. military members used the week to remember the sacrifices and service of our nations POW’s, as well as those who are still MIA. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Aaron-Forrest Wainwright)

POWs and MIAs remembered at ceremony

Published Sept. 26, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- As Airmen and Soldiers stood in the cold, they stretched, warmed their hands and hydrated to prepare for a run.

A man's voice came over the loudspeakers.

"Physical fitness is key; it's a part of staying resilient and it's what got prisoners of war through hard times," said Col. John Shapland, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing commander. "What a great way to start today - a run to honor those who came before us."

Airmen from the 435th AGOW and other squadrons here participated in a 5k run to honor POWs and those missing in action at the Southside Fitness Center Sept. 21.

POW/MIA week is a week dedicated to remembering those who gave so much to our country. Throughout the week a special guest went around to different squadrons to tell his story and talk to Airmen about their service.

"It's important to remember those who gave that huge sacrifice for our country," said Tech. Sgt. Bradley Johnson, 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron special communications team leader.

Following the run was a luncheon at the Officer's Club. Capt. (ret.) Guy Gruters, who was held for five years as a POW during the Vietnam War, was the guest speaker.

"When my plane went down I managed to evade for 45 minutes," said Gruters. "It was getting dark and I could hear a lot of yelling, just hoping that they wouldn't find me and waiting for it to get dark. Once it got dark, I thought to myself, 'I could possibly stand a chance.' But they found me just as the sun was about to disappear."

He immediately explained the living conditions he had to endure as a POW.

"We were given one blanket, no shoes or socks and two pairs of pajamas for the whole five years," said Gruters. "We were shivering for days and weeks at a time during the winter months."

The food they were given while in captivity was limited as well.

"Two loaves of bread and two liters of water was all we got for the day," he said. "After about a year and a half I finally got over the hunger pains."

Gruters explained what the summer and winter months brought and described what interrogations were like.

"During one of my last interrogations one of my interrogators asked me if I was mad at my country because they had left me here for five years," said Gruters. "I told him, 'No because even if I am here for 20 years, I will be going back to America.' I still have the possibility of getting home to my family."

At the end of the day there was a wreath laying ceremony before retreat.

"We remember POWs and MIAs today and this week," said Shapland. "But they will be remembered everyday by those who loved them."

A final word of advice to the audience was given before the ceremony ended.

"Don't just flip through the training slides to keep current," said Shapland. "Read the scenarios and learn from them. They may just one day save your life."

As the wreath was placed, the POW and American flags were folded and the day came to a close, Airmen and civilians paid their respects to those who sacrificed so much.