Vance reminds warriors 'You are not forgotten'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  On Wednesday, members of the 71st Flying Training Wing solemnly reminded Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action they are not forgotten.
The Vance Air Force Sergeants Association hosted a POW/MIA luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the club, and the wing held a 4 p.m. retreat ceremony.
"In the 60-plus years since the end of World War II, the fate of more than 78,000 Americans who fought in that conflict remains unknown," said Col. Richard Klumpp, 71st FTW commander. "Also, more than 8,000 from the Korean War, more than 120 from the Cold War, more than 1,800 from the Vietnam War, three from the first Persian Gulf War, and most recently Sgt. Keith Maupin -- who was captured in April 2004 -- are missing in action. These Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedoms, will never be forgotten."
Several POWs attended one or both of Wednesday's events.
Retired Air Force Colonel Leroy Stutz guest spoke at the luncheon. In December 1966 his aircraft was downed 25 miles north of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Mr. Stutz was captured and remained a prisoner of war where he endured beatings and maltreatment at the hands of his captors until his release March 4, 1973.
Now a retired Army Private First Class, Cletys Nordin was an assistant gunner on a 57mm recoilless rifle serving with Co. K, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, and was fighting near Chong-A-Dong, South Korea on Jan. 1, 1951, when he was wounded and taken prisoner by Chinese Communist forces. After being marched more than 600 miles to the North Korean border near China, Mr. Nordin was held as a prisoner of war for 966 days until his release in late 1953.
In November 1950, Roy Ratliff, now a retired Marine Corps sergeant, was also captured during the Korean War in South Korea and was released August 1953.
Fran Hoad has attended POW/MIA recognition events at Vance for the past 10 years. A 27-year Army Air Corps and Air Force Reserve officer, he was a co-pilot on a B-17 during World War II when he was shot down by enemy 105mm coastal guns over Belgium in 1944. After being captured by Germans, he spent 13 months as a prisoner of war.
"These events help me remember and honor my brothers, who were there right along with me," he said. "I also enjoy getting out to the base, because I attended primary basic pilot training here, and it's nice to meet the Airmen of today."
His wife, Martha, attends with him and also believes the ceremonies are important.
"These people need to be honored, because so many of them are growing older and dying," she said. "Without these ceremonies or some kind of communication to the younger generations, their memories and sacrifices will be lost."
But today's military members will never forget.
"It is with deep respect and solemn appreciation that we single out those who paid the ultimate price. The American people will never forget their courage and devotion to duty, honor and country," said Colonel Klumpp. "We stand on their shoulders as their sacrifices for freedom made our country great and continue to lift us up all these years later.
"Keeping alive the memory of their dedicated service and the sacrifices of their families reminds us why they served this great nation and inspires us to emulate their spirit. Our lasting tribute to these Americans is that we will never forget!"