A prisoner of war and missing in action commemorative breakfast was held at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. The five members of the 20th Force Support Squadron Honor Guard represent the five branches of service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard). The white tablecloth signifies the purity of their intentions to their country. The rose symbolizes those who gave their lives. The yellow ribbon stands for the unyielding demand for proper account of the missing. The lemon symbolizes the bitter fate of those not with us. The salt on the plate represents the tears of family and loved ones who keep the faith as they wait. The glasses on the table are inverted in remembrance of those who are with us in spirit. The table is set apart from the others for those who fought in defense of our country. The candle is lit to show vigilance for those still missing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
A prisoner of war and missing in action commemorative breakfast was held at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. The white tablecloth signifies the purity of their intentions to their country. The rose symbolizes those who gave their lives. The yellow ribbon stands for the unyielding demand for proper account of the missing. The lemon symbolizes the bitter fate of those not with us. The salt on the plate represents the tears of family and loved ones who keep the faith as they wait. The glasses on the table are inverted in remembrance of those who are with us in spirit. The table is set apart from the others for those who fought in defense of our country. The candle is lit to show vigilance for those still missing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Guest speaker, and former prisoner of war retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy, speaks at a POW/MIA breakfast held at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. Duffy shared his experience as a POW with first-term and prior-enlisted Airmen, hoping to inspire and encourage them to push through hard times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, Navy and Coast Guard covers adorn the commemorative, stand-alone table at a prisoner of war and missing in action remembrance breakfast, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. The Air Force cover at the table represents all Air Force members who are or have been prisoners of war or missing in action and each service’s respective cover symbolizes the same. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Guest speaker, and former prisoner of war retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy, speaks at a POW/MIA breakfast, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. Duffy explains his experience operating the ball turret of a B-24 Liberator during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Guest speaker, and former prisoner of war retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy, sits and speaks at a POW/MIA breakfast, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. Duffy elaborated on the year he spent as a prisoner of war in prison camp Stalag 17-B in Krems, Austria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Guest speaker, and former prisoner of war retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy fights back tears as he recalls Adolf Hitler’s order to execute the prisoners of war, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. Many times throughout his recount Duffy fought to keep from crying when speaking about the struggles he and his Wingman faced during imprisonment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Attendants of the prisoner of war and missing in action breakfast give guest speaker, and former prisoner of war retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy a standing ovation after he finished speaking, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. Duffy retired from the military in 1967, but still remains active in the military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Tech. Sgt. Thyiatira Singleton, 20th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor and vice president of the Air Force Sergeants Association chapter 377, presents guest speaker retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy with a coin as a small token of gratitude for sharing his story at the prisoner of war and missing in action breakfast, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 20, 2012. Duffy spent a year as a prisoner of war in camp Stalag 17-B in Krems, Austria during World War II, and shared that experience during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
Col. Lance Kildron, 20th Fighter Wing vice commander, extends a heartfelt thank you to guest speaker, and former prisoner of war retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy during the prisoner of war and missing in action breakfast. Kildron also presented Duffy with a coin as a gesture of gratitude for him speaking during the ceremony and sharing his story with Team Shaw. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell/Released)
by Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/25/2012 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- A prisoner of war and missing in action breakfast was held in honor of those who have been or are still POW's or MIA, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 21. Guest speaker, and former POW retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Duffy, spoke at the event on what it was like to be a POW during World War II. The ceremony ended with a standing ovation and Duffy being coined and thanked for his contribution to the event and our nation.
