Moody commemorates National POW/MIA Recognition Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  To commemorate those servicemembers who are prisoners of war or missing in action, Moody members gathered Friday around the base's Memorial Park during the National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

We set aside today to recognize POWs or MIA so that they will never be forgotten, said Staff Sgt. Brandy Hite, 23rd Force Support Squadron and the event's narrator.

"As we gather this morning, let us be ever mindful of those American service men and women who are no longer able to share in this event," she said. "Let us be especially mindful of the continuing pain, sorrow and sacrifices of our heroes who wear the mournful title MIA, POW and recently our fallen patriots of terrorism, whose stories are still untold."

For one Moody pilot, remembering America's POWs and those missing in action hits close to home.

On Feb. 15, 1991, while flying an A-10 Warthog, Lt. Col. Robert Sweet, 23rd Fighter Group deputy commander, was shot down and captured during his 30th Mission during Operation Desert Storm.

As he landed, Colonel Sweet was captured by Iraqis and held as a POW for 19 days. The colonel shared his story about becoming a POW at the ceremony.

"Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words on this day of remembrance, reflection and hope," he said.

During his speech, Colonel Sweet spoke about a personality trait that best described him--grateful.

"I am grateful for my aircraft, an A-10 Warthog that sustained a missile hit, which lost my right wing," he said. "Due to the titanium bathtub, I was able to survive and eject safely."

The colonel also credited his Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training that he received at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

"For every game or trick that the interrogators threw at me, the cadres already talked about it in training," Colonel Sweet said. "The skills they taught saved my life and allowed me to return home with honor. Some of those cadres are near and dear to my heart."

Colonel Sweet then talked about how his spiritual faith helped him survive his capture.

"I got everything that I prayed for," he said. "I'm a firm believer of the power of prayer."

In addition to being grateful for his leadership, the POW survivor honored his flight lead, who initiated the search and rescue effort for him while still in flight. Colonel Sweet's flight lead was also shot down, but was unable to eject.

"I miss you bro," said the colonel. "I hope I lived up to your expectations."

Lastly, Colonel Sweet recognized the Vietnam POWs because he pointed out that we can learn from their experiences and give them the same kind of respect for their sacrifices.

I realize that we all have a busy schedule, but today please take a moment to say a prayer or a quiet pause to remember POWs or those MIA, he said.

After Colonel Sweet's speech about what he was grateful for, he was presented a plaque of appreciation by the Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter 460. It was then that Sergeant Hite read a poem written by Del Jones entitled "POW/MIA".

Col. Henry Santicola, 23rd Wing vice commander, and Col. Thomas Webster, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing acting vice commander, placed a wreath beside the POW/MIA Memorial Monument before taps was played.

"To our honored speaker, Moody's own Lt. Col. Rob Sweet-- thank you for sharing your time with us today, for your sacrifice and for your strong leadership each and every day," said Colonel Santicola. "For you embody the highest virtues of our great republic, a living reminder of the depth of sacrifice that can be asked of those who wear our nation's uniform. 

"The greatest honor America can give to its servicemembers who are missing in action or may remain POWs is to keep looking for them," he added. "We may never recover all of our missing, but we can and must continue trying. Our nation owes these heroes and their families nothing less than that. We must never forget."