From Air Force Digest (09/11/2000 18:01)
(#2000-170) With Permission
001375. Commentary: Remembering their sacrifices
by Gen. Lester Lyles, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- Leroy Barden used to live in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He went to college, got his degree, became a captain and a UC-123B aircrew member in our U.S. Air Force.
Ernest Behnfeldt lived in Reliance, Ohio. He also went to college, got his degree and became an Air Force captain; only he was a crewmember in RF-4C aircraft.
I don't personally know either of these gentlemen. I'm not sure if either of them were married, had children or exactly what their lot in life was.
What I do know is Barden was shot down over Laos Jan. 1, 1967 and Behnfeldt over Northern Vietnam Aug. 19, 1972. These warriors are two of more than 2,000 Americans listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War and other American conflicts!
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Many Americans made the ultimate sacrifice in those conflicts, and many others were captured and taken as prisoners of war. These heroes endured torture, suffering and pain simply for being Americans.
Some of them have been scarred for life as a result. Others were fortunate to come home relatively unscathed.
But for the Bardens and Behnfeldts of our Air Force, that was not the case. Their families are still waiting for news of their loved one's fate -- any shred of information. Did they suffer? Was it quick? Could they still be alive? We'll never know how great the load they bear truly is.
But on Sept. 15, National POW-MIA Recognition Day, we can take time from our busy schedules and show these family members and all former POWs that we remember and are thankful for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made for the cause of freedom. And that we'll not settle for anything less than a full accounting of those 2,000 souls still unaccou!
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nted for.
POW-MIA recognition ceremonies will be held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools, churches, national veteran and civic organizations as well as police and fire departments.
The focus of each will be to make sure that America remembers its
responsibility to stand behind those who served our nation so valiantly and do everything possible to account for those who did not return.
I encourage each of you to take time away from that day's business to
reflect and honor the sacrifices the Bardens and Behnfeldts of the world and all former prisoners of war have made. It is my hope and prayer that all those still missing will someday be accounted for. But until that day
comes, let's remember...
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