35th Annual POW/MIA Luncheon

A Purple Heart recipient salutes during the 35th Annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 19, 2013. The luncheon was held to honor 25 former Prisoners of War, 115 Purple Heart recipients and the family of Capt. Carl Jackson, Air Force Vietnam pilot still missing in action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)

35th Annual POW/MIA Luncheon

The 35th Annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Luncheon was held on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 19, 2013. The luncheon honored 25 former Prisoners of War, 115 Purple Heart recipients and the family of Capt. Carl Jackson, Air Force Vietnam pilot still missing in action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)

35th Annual POW/MIA Luncheon

Maj. Gen. Keith Kries, mobilization assistant to the 8th Air Force commander, speaks during the 35th Annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Luncheon held on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 19, 2013. Kries is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours, and his Air Force experience includes combat support missions during Operations Desert Storm, Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)

Luncheon honors Purple Heart recipients, POWs, MIA

Published April 24, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- More than 600 veterans, service members, family and friends gathered at Hoban Hall here, April 19 for the 34th Annual Purple Heart/POW/MIA Luncheon.

The luncheon honored 115 Purple Heart recipients, 25 former Prisoners of War (two were World War II Battan Death March survivors), and the family of Capt. Carl Jackson, Vietnam U.S. Air Force pilot still missing in action.

"This may be the largest Purple Heart/POW/MIA luncheon in our Nation," said Col. (Ret.) Steve dePyssler, Retiree Activities Office director and host of the luncheon since 1979.

Attendees included Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, Air Force Global Strike Command commander; Maj. Gen. Everett Thomas, Air Force Global Strike vice commander; Maj. Gen. Stephen Wilson, 8th Air Force commander; Maj. Gen. Robert Rego, mobilization assistant to the AFGSC commander; Maj. Gen. Keith Kries, mobilization assistant to the 8th Air Force commander; Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander; and Col. Jonathan Ellis, 307th Bomb Wing commander.

Gebara gave opening remarks saluting the veterans who paved the way for service members today.

"We are proud to host this event," he said. "We stand in the shadow of giants who allow us to live in the free nation we live in today."

Veterans, who came from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Lousiana, paraded through a Saber Honor Arch formed by the Barksdale Air Force Base Honor Guard, and the Jackson family was recognized during a MIA ceremony. The 156th Army National Guard Band played a service Parade of Colors and toasts were given by all.

Sen. Robery Adley presented 33 attendees with the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal.

"It is a wonderful honor to be here today," said Broughton Hand, 82nd Airborne. "It is great to be recognized with my fellow servicemen."

Broughton was a former POW in WWII.

The luncheon continued with a meal and words from Kries, the guest speaker. Kries spoke to the audience about what it means to have courage.

"The Retiree Activity staff worked on the even for almost a year with sending thousands of invitations, making reservations, billeting, getting T-shirts and caps for all the veterans in memory of the event," said dePyssler. "The event was a huge success because of the base support from the Barksdale Club in feeding, billeting, Air Police, carts, communication and more. This may be the last such event as I am 93 years old and the average age of the WWII veterans was also 93 years old."