POWs, MIAs honored on recognition day Published Sept. 21, 2006 By Tarsha Storey 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Shaw members joined other Americans across the nation Sept. 15 to remember the sacrifices made by American service members missing, captured or killed in action. The event opened with a greeting from the narrator, Senior Master Sgt. Gary DeVault. Master Sgt. John Kennedy, Airman and Family Readiness Center superintendent, sang the national anthem and Chaplain (Col.) Gary Perry, 20th Fighter Wing wing chaplain, gave the invocation. Col. Bill Hyatt, 20th FW commander, was the speaker. Col. Hyatt asked the crowd to remember all the military men and women who were prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. While prisoners of war, many military members faced torture, depravation, solitary confinement and death, Col. Hyatt said. Col. Hyatt spoke about one Air Force member, Maj. Blake Morgan, who was missing in action in a 1967 crash over Laos. The major's remains were identified in November 2005. His wife, Mary, was notified that his remains had been found. Unfortunately, Mrs. Morgan died before her husband's funeral. Her children said they felt the notification gave her the closure she needed, Col. Hyatt said. Maj. Morgan was laid to rest Sept. 11 by his wife's side, Col. Hyatt said. "We salute those who died in action and those who were tortured by their captors. We also salute the strength of their families," Col. Hyatt said. Some members' families wait for years and even decades to find out what happened to their loved one. Mrs. Morgan waited for 39 years, Col. Hyatt said. "For more years than most of us can remember, our POWs and MIAs and their families have been the standard for us to look up to. They never give up hope. They continue to insist the world remember and respond. They overcame every obstacle - obstacles most of us can't dream of facing. They did it facing the most difficult of obstacles, the passage of time," Col. Hyatt said. Col. Hyatt said the Department of Defense continues to search for all American military members who are prisoners of war or missing in action. "We honor your service; we look at you with a debt of gratitude. We will fulfill your quest and will never forget," he said. Col. Hyatt said the nation is committed to finding American POWs and MIAs and bringing them home. "Americans (in the past) and Americans today appreciate and respect the ultimate sacrifice those service members have made. In their honor, we emphasize - you are not forgotten," said Sgt. DeVault. The ceremony ended with the placing of the remembrance wreath, a rendition of Taps and an F-16 missing man formation flyover.