The 23^rd Munitions Squadron hosted a POW/MIA Silent Run at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 16-17, 2021, to remember and honor the sacrifices of service members who were prisoners of war or missing in action for National POW/MIA Remembrance day.

Members of Team Moody participated by running in shifts around the George W. Bush Air Park as volunteers recited the name of each American POW or MIA on a loud speaker.

“We must continue to recognize the sacrifices made by those who came before us and remain true to our obligation to them and their families,” said Col. Russ Cook, 23^rd Wing commander. “Last night I saw participants who ran together in the thunder storms and rain but still kept running.

“While this sacrifice may be insignificant to those who endured captivity and those who made the ultimate sacrifice – that commitment has meaning beyond words,” he continued. "I think it’s pretty clear that the men and women of Moody Air Force Base say with one voice … To every POW/MIA … You are not forgotten.”

The run ended with a short ceremony where retired Brig. Gen. James Sehorn shared his story about his 1,917 days as prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton during Vietnam.

“Today we remember the prisoners of War and those who are still missing in action,” said Sehorn. “Those years in the prison cell of Hanoi brought me tremendous sense of unity, denotation and dedication. That is the reason I take great pride in saying I'm an ex con from Hanoi. It was the best tour I ever served and the one I'd least like to repeat."

Sehorn charged the audience to never forget the sacrifices of POWs and those who are still missing. In November of 1967, Sehorn was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War until he was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973.

“It is our duty to stand behind those who serve our great nation and do everything possible to account for those who do not return,” said Sehorn.

Quoting his friend and fellow Prisoner of War Brig. Gen. James "Robbie" Risner, Sehorn said, "'To be born free is an accident, to live free is a privilege, but to die free is a responsibility.’ And it is that responsibility that you and I accept when we don the uniform of this great nation.”