Team Dyess pays tribute to POW/MIAs on Remembrance Day

Dyess leadership salutes the American and POW/MIA flags as they are raised during the POW/MIA ceremony at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 15, 2017. Each year, the country designates the third Friday of September as Remembrance Day to commemorate POW/MIAs from past wars. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Katherine Miller)

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Team Dyess pays tribute to POW/MIAs on Remembrance Day

The Dyess Honor Guard sets the Missing Man Table during the POW/MIA ceremony at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 15, 2017. This table, set for five, signifies personnel from each military branch who have been POW/MIAs. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Katherine Miller)

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Team Dyess pays tribute to POW/MIAs on Remembrance Day

Dyess leadership marches with the American, U.S. Air Force, State of Texas, POW/MIA flags and group guidons during the POW/MIA ceremony at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 15, 2017. Participants payed tribute to POW/MIAs by taking part in formation marches around the base from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Katherine Miller)

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Team Dyess pays tribute to POW/MIAs on Remembrance Day

Dyess Airman fold the POW/MIA during retreat Sept. 15, 2017 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. National POW/MIA Recognition Day, observed on the third Friday of September, honors the sacrifices and service of Americans who were prisoners of war or are missing in action, as well as their families. (U.S. Air Force. photo by Senior Airman Austin Mayfield)

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Team Dyess pays tribute to POW/MIAs on Remembrance Day

Dyess Airman fold the American Flag during a retreat ceremony Sept. 15, 2017 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Retreat is a ceremony in which the unit honors the U.S. flag when it is lowered in the evening. The term "retreat" is taken from a French word "retraite" and refers to the evening ceremony. The bugle call sounded at retreat was first used in the French army and dates back to the Crusades. Retreat was sounded at sunset to notify sentries to start challenging until sunrise, and to tell the rank and file to go to their quarters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Mayfield)

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Team Dyess pays tribute to POW/MIAs on Remembrance Day

Published Sept. 15, 2017
By Senior Airman Katherine Miller
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An estimated 1,500 Airmen, and more than 83,000 Americans, are still considered missing and unaccounted for across the Department of Defense.

To honor the service and sacrifice of those who have been prisoners of war and those still considered missing in action, the nation has designated the third Friday of September as Remembrance Day.

Team Dyess began Remembrance Day with a ceremony at the Base Theater here, Sept. 15. The ceremony included opening remarks highlighting the sacrifice of POW/MIAs and the history of Lt. Col. Edwin Dyess. The Dyess Honor Guard then presented the missing man table, honoring each branch of service’s POW/MIAs.

“This event is significant because it recognizes and remembers all of the POWs from past wars, as well as those who are still considered MIA,” said Master Sgt. Michael Denapoli, 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron programs flight chief. “This event also recognizes the families and their sacrifices that are still ongoing today.”

Dyess personnel payed tribute to POWs and MIAs by participating in formation marches. A POW/MIA flag was continuously carried by a member in formation during the march from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to the march, a retreat ceremony was held at the base flag pole at 5 p.m. to end the event.