Lester Wilson, a retired Air Force veteran, shakes hands with Col. Thomas Hesterman, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, at the 2012 Prisoner of War/Purple Heart Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27. Veterans walked down the middle of Hoban Hall through a saber cordon to be honored for their service. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)
Staff Sgt. Saquenthia Barber, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Kenneth Koval, the Louisiana Veterans of Foreign Wars commander, attend the 2012 Prisoner of War/Purple Heart Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27. The luncheon is held annually to honor veterans, in particular those who have been prisoners of war or have earned the Purple Heart decoration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)
Senior Airman Bryenna Brooks, 2nd Medical Group, shakes the hand of Col. Thomas Hesterman, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, at the 2012 Prisoner of War/Purple Heart Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27. Brooks earned the Purple Heart last year when she was deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)
Gen. William Fraser, U.S. Transportation Command commander, addresses veterans at the 2012 Prisoner of War/Purple Heart Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27. Fraser gave the key note speech at the luncheon expressing gratitude to the men who suffered as prisoners of war. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)
Air Force officers greet veterans outside Hoban Hall at the 2012 Prisoner of War/Purple Heart Luncheon on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27. The officers stood outside as greeters to salute and honor those who have served before them. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)