Beale vows to never forget POW/MIA sacrifices Published Sept. 24, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Beale honored America's Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action with a remembrance breakfast and roll call Sept. 20. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a day of remembrance and hope for the speedy and safe return of American Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action. It is observed the third Friday of September. The guest speaker for the Recognition Day was Vietnam veteran Mike O'Connor who was a UH-1 Huey pilot during the war. O'Connor's helicopter was shot down in 1968, and he was held in captivity for 1,857 days where he endured mental and physical torture. "Those were some tough times, but I never gave up hope," said O'Connor. "I knew that one day I would get out of there...that one day the (United States) would come for me." O'Connor was released in March 1973 during Operation HOMECOMING, a series of diplomatic negotiations to return American Prisoners of War held by North Vietnam. For his actions, O'Connor was awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads: "...Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Chief Warrant Officer O'Connor resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which demonstrated great devotion to duty and country in accord with the finest traditions of the military services." To date, more than 80,000 American service members remain missing, the majority of which remain missing from Vietnam, Korea, and WWII. "Today, we remember those who cannot be with us and honor their brave service," said Col. Quinn Gummel, 9th Reconnaissance Wing vice commander. "You are not forgotten, and we will come for you." For more information about supporting local POW/MIA originations visit the National League of POW/MIA Families website.