PHOENIX — In honor of Prisoners of War Remembrance Day – held annually on April 9 – Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation today calling upon all Arizonans to pay respect and gratitude to all of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces who have suffered captivity in foreign countries during active service.
“Today, we pause to recognize the brave members of our armed forces who, throughout history, have been taken captive by an enemy nation while fighting to protect us at home.
We are eternally indebted to these men and women. Day after day, American heroes put on the uniform and answer the call to service – selflessly relinquishing their personal freedom to preserve ours. To those who have not returned home, they are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts. We forever honor them, and we continue to pray for their safe return.
I ask that all Arizonans join me in paying respect to our nation’s Prisoners of War, their families and all who serve and sacrifice in the name of our national and personal security. God Bless them all.”
Title corrected: Sergeant Major Barreras passed away in Texas after wounds received while serving in Afghanistan.
An Army Ranger from Tucson has died after being shot in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced. He was among those who rescued former POW Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital in 2003. The Pentagon said in a statement that Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R. Barreras, 49, died May 13 in Texas after suffering injuries in Afghanistan on May 6.
Governor Jan Brewer ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today. In her statement, she said,
I Ask That All Arizonans Hold In Their Thoughts And Prayers the family of U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Martin Barreras, a Tucson soldier who passed away Tuesday, May 13, from injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan. Command Sgt. Maj. Barreras, 49, dedicated more than three decades to military service, including five years as a U.S. Marine before enlisting in the Army. … As we mourn this American hero, let us always honor all of our nation’s men and women in uniform with our eternal gratitude and admiration.
The Army Ranger helped rescue former POW Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital in 2003 has died after being shot in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Thursday. The Pentagon said in a statement that Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R. Barreras, 49, died May 13 in Texas after suffering injuries in Afghanistan on May 6. Barreras, known as “Gunny,” was the top enlisted soldier for a unit based in Fort Bliss, Texas at the time of his death, according to the Army Times. He joined the Army in 1988 after serving five years in the Marine Corps.
Barreras, known as “Gunny,” was the top enlisted soldier for a unit based in Fort Bliss, Texas at the time of his death, according to the Army Times. He joined the Army in 1988 after serving five years in the Marine Corps.
The soldier at the Williams Own Veterans Memorial stands watch with a Road Guard waiting for the riders of Run for the Wall
WILLIAMS – The riders of Run for the Wall roared into Williams on their annual mission to remind America that we still do not have a full accounting of POWs and those missing in action from the Vietnam war. At least 15 from Arizona are still unaccounted for.
The ten-day journey to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. is also a chance for brothers-in-arms who fought in the conflict to help each other heal. In addition the ride honors those currently serving in the military.
Staff Sergeant David C. Lee
Although the ride was originally started by and for veterans of the Vietnam conflict, it has always been open for anyone with a desire to honor veterans and military. Recent years it has become more important for veterans and others to start to ride as Vietnam veterans are passing and getting too old to ride. This year there were several obvious non-veterans riding in the group.
Williams was especially honored this year to welcome active duty Army Staff Sergeant David Lee, a recruiter from North Orange County. He said he hangs out with a group of veterans known as the Orange Plaza Patriots where he learned about Run for the Wall. Marine Corp veteran Mark Waylon, a member of the group and annual rider, invited Lee to ride. Staff Sergeant Lee took leave so that he could make the Run for the Wall ride this year.
Officers Jaynes (left) and Humphrey (Right) are thanked for their service.
The riders came in their normal route from I-40 to parade down historic Route 66. Due to an emergency call, the Williams Police Department could not handle the normal duty of escorting the group. Officers Jaynes and Humphrey of the Department of Public Safety stepped in to handle the call.
The Ambassadors of Run for the Wall arrived about 5:45 after the Run for the Wall traveling commissary. The van sells T-Shirts, patches, pins and other items to support the activity.
At the American Legion Cordova Post #13, volunteers started in the morning setting up and cooking for the event. It was particularly gratifying to see young citizens of Williams serving at the event this year.
Volunteers serve the riders at the Cordova Post #13.
In previous years the riders were divided into two routes. This year the riders were divided into three routes with the Central Route coming into Williams and Flagstaff. Unfortunately this is not a tourist run and the riders will rise early in the morning to depart the city to continue their mission.
The Northern Arizona Gazette wishes them fair winds and following seas.
WASHINGTON — The Air Force is “disappointed” in the airman who appeared in a photo that is being circulated of her posing with her tongue in the mouth of the prisoner of war depicted on the iconic black-and-white POW/MIA emblem.
“We do not yet have all the details behind the photo, but it certainly is a concern; it’s a concern any time someone shows disrespect for prisoners of war and those missing in action,” Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody said in a statement. “They deserve our utmost respect and we must always remember their sacrifice and the legacy they’ve left for us as men and women serving our nation.
“I want to make it clear that this is not a reflection of Airmen who wear this uniform; it is a case of poor judgment of one Airman … to say we are disappointed would be an understatement. We are gathering all the details and will take appropriate action at the appropriate level,” he said. “Our Airmen fully understand the significance of the POW/MIA flag and the sacrifice of the men and women it honors.”
HAILEY, IDAHO—During the Run for the Wall motorcycle rally, the east coast group Rolling Thunder highlighted the plight of Sergeant Bowe Robert Bergdahl who was captured by insurgents in Afghanistan. This month, a local group in plan a Bring Bowie Back rally in his home State of Idaho.
Sergeant Bergdahl was taken captive on June 30, 2009 as a private and promoted in abstentia. The administration has made attempts to rescue him, but all have failed. He is currently the only known, living prisoner of war.
Stefanie O’Neill, one of the organizers of the event, said that the event started as a tree dedication in a local park, “… but as people heard about the event, it started growing at a rapid rate and has evolved into a full blown rally with both locals and supporters from across the County attending. This will be largest rally for Bowe every held. I am completely overwhelmed by the support pouring in from around the Country for this event.”
Hailey Chief of Police Jeff M. Gunter will escort the rally to the capitol city of Boise
This is the first year of the event, “…started as an effort to show the Bergdahl Family that their hometown and surrounding communities in the Wood River Valley have not forgotten Bowe,” Stefanie said.
Debbie O’Neill explained that 500 motorcycles are expected to meet in Jerome, Idaho at the Flying J. Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter will escort the rally participants 50 miles to Bellevue where they will meet with another motorcycle group from Boise. Chief Gunter will escort the entire group to the event in Boise scheduled for the 22nd of June.
While the event is centered in Idaho, any riders from any State are welcome to attend the event.
The event is supported by the POW Network, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Group and smaller motorcycle and military groups from the Northwest. The Northeast, Pocatello and Boise Chapters of the POW/MIA organization from Idaho will be attending. In addition, the Elko Nevada POW/MIA Organization are supporting the event. More will probably be added by the date of the event.
If you wish to learn more about the event, you visit the web site for more information.
To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
The Run for the Wall event was started 25 years ago by James Gregory and Bill Evans. They came up with an idea to bring attention to those POWs and MIAs who were still unaccounted for. The ten-day trek across the United States is a peaceful, non-political demonstration to honor the memory of those who have given all.
There are still several Arizonans listed as missing in action.
Williams has been the end of the first day of their ride where the American Legion Cordova Post #13 provides a barbeque and a rest for the weary travelers. The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce provided American flags for the viewers of the parade to wave as they passed.
WILLIAMS—Memorial day weekend is coming soon; a day in which we honor the sacrifices that are veterans have made and those in service today. It also means that the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall start their annual trek to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. The ride is meant to make the public aware of the prisoners of war and those still listed as missing in action.
Another group called Rolling Thunder with the same mission recently highlighted the plight of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. They believe that he is still alive and a prisoner of war after four years.
Each year both groups ride to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington in time for Memorial Day. To support the ride they set up in towns and sell souvenirs of the ride. Their first stop since mid-2000 has been Williams where the American Legion Cordova Post #13 provides a hot meal and a rest for their visit.
The veterans enter the City with a parade each year.
Each year many of the Williams residents stop by and visit the veterans and give them support. Or maybe it’s just to check out the motorcycles.
WBTW-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Florence, SC By Leah Mishkin, May 13, 2013 MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The first of the two weekends for the 74th annual spring rally is in the books as thousands of bikers hit the Strand for a good time and for a good cause.
The Rolling Thunder set up a booth at the Harley-Davidson dealership hoping to raise money to continue their mission of finding and bringing home American prisoners of war.
“Since World War 2, there are over 84 thousand unaccounted for and our mission is to educate people at the same time we also lobby up with congress to put pressure on them to bring our Americans home,” said chairman of the Rolling Thunder Myrtle Beach chapter Bill DeVaughn.
And while this organization is not only for bikers, Rolling Thunder members said with bikers, many find great interest in finding prisoners of war since many are veterans.
