Former POWs/MIAs remembered at NAS Jax

The ceremony began at 10 a.m. with the playing of the national anthem by Navy Band Southeast followed by the invocation and the POW Pledge of Allegiance by Retired Navy Chief Carl ''Ed'' Creamer and his two sons, Roger and Richard Creamer, both retired chiefs.

Creamer became a POW after his PBY was shot down over the Bering Sea. One of three survivors from the crew of nine, he was picked up by a Japanese cruiser and moved through seven Japanese POW camps. He retired from the Navy in 1960.

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson then spoke to the crowd and thanked the POWs for their service. ''Each year since 1979, during this week of September, people from all across this great country of ours join together to observe a national day of recognition to honor our POWs and MIAs and their families. As we honor former POWs and service members and civilians still unaccounted for, let us remember the sacrifices that these individuals made to preserve the freedoms we continue to enjoy as a nation,'' said Dobson. ''They answered the call of duty even when it meant unending days of dark cells and squalid camps. They kept the faith, some for many, many years. We can offer no less than our best and strongest efforts and most faithful commitment to these heroes. To each of you here today, as well as those who have passed on or who never returned, we owe an unending debt of gratitude for the sacrifices you've made, the pain you've endured and the hardships you've suffered to ensure that the flame of freedom will never be extinguished.''

Former North Vietnam POW retired Navy Capt. Denver Key talks about some his experiences as a POW during the ceremony. Key was the guest speaker for the event held at the NAS Jax All Saints Chapel Sept. 13. Photo by Kaylee LaRocque

''Throughout the long history of our nation, we have been blessed with heroes and patriots willing to sacrifice their freedom to protect and defend our own. It is still so today. In foreign lands and on far away seas, courageous military men and women are fighting to defend our country's freedom, he continued.

Dobson then introduced Director of Military Affairs for the City of Jacksonville Dan McCarthy. McCarthy talked

about the importance of remembering those who have served to protect our freedoms. ''POW/MIA Day is the third Friday in September. I think an important thing to remember is if you look at our calendar and see what our country does to recognize those who serve in our military, we really have a progressive memorial. We begin on Memorial Day in May and think about those who were killed while serving; then on Aug. 7, we now have Purple Heart Day to think about those who were wounded. In September, we have POW/MIA Day to recognize those who were captured or missing and then on Nov. 11, we have Veterans Day to remember all those who serve and have served,'' said McCarthy.

''Within this five-month period, we are reminded of the people who are out there sacrificing for us, who wear the uniform and who are serving to ensure the freedoms we enjoy. This year, President Bush proclaimed Sept. 11 at Patriots Day. I really think this is Patriots Week and it's a time to be proud of our American heritage.''

Former POW Jim Dalzell and his wife, Mary bow their heads in prayer during the event. Photo by MC2 Brian Smarr

After McCarthy's remarks, Dobson introduced the ceremony's guest speaker, retired Navy Capt. Denver Key. As a pilot with VA-34 on board USS Intrepid (CV 11) off the coast of Vietnam, Key's aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile on his 76th mission over North Vietnam. After ejecting, he was immediately captured and spent the next five and a half years as a POW in North Vietnam camps.

''POWs from different wars have had different challenges. From what I've read, the Korean War POWs had the challenge of severe winters. In North Vietnam, we didn't have that challenge. I think our biggest challenge was just the fact that so many of us spent so much time there - surviving for so many years,'' said Key. ''I remember three days after I was shot down and after the initial interrogation period I was put in a cell by myself for a couple days. My first thought was that Everett Alvarez has been here more than three years and there was no way I would be here that long. I think if we had known how long we would be there, it would have been much more difficult to survive. We went in six-month increments - saying we could make it six more months.''

''One of the ways we coped is that we wrote poetry. Of course we had no pens, paper or books so everything was done in our heads. Other than the first two days of interrogation, the most difficult days I spent as a POW were the first six months of 1968 when I was in isolation. I was shot down the week just before Thanksgiving in 1967 and was put into a cell with two other Americans,'' Key continued.

''One day I didn't follow one of the camp rules so I was placed in isolation in a remote area away from the camp. I was put in stocks with my hands handcuffed behind my back and remained there for one month, up to 23 hours a day,'' explained Key.

Former World War II Japanese POW retired Navy Chief Ed Creamer leads the POW Pledge of Allegiance during the annual NAS Jax POW/MIA Ceremony. Photo by MC2 Brian Smarr

''It was physically uncomfortable, but the six months in isolation was more of a mental issue. To remain sane, I had to deliberately force my mind to stay active and to keep it off my sorry situation,'' he added.

''As a result, those six months were the most productive I spent during my captivity. It was the only time I've ever had during my life where all I had was time to think. I found it absolutely amazing what the mind could do in that situation. Without paper and pencils, I could solve math problems I couldn't solve before, remember names and dates I thought I had long forgotten and I could play chess,'' he said.

''My mind without my conscious permission also started entertaining itself. Some of the marks on the walls became famous Americans like Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson and my mind would make them move. The funniest part of this was that I was sane enough to realize that I was crazy,'' said Key. ''During this time, I concluded without doubt that there is a God and an afterlife where families and friends once again come together. Once I came to these conclusions, my life as a POW was less stressful.''

Key retired from the Navy in June 1993 and currently teaches physics and astronomy at St. Johns River Community College in Orange Park.

The ceremony concluded with the benediction followed by a 21-gun salute by the NAS Jax Honor Support Team, coordinated by GM2 James Koone and a flyover by S-3 Viking aircraft from the ''Topcats'' of VS-31. Lt. Cmdr. Quino Alonzo of VS-31 coordinated the flyover while Lt. Cmdr. Matt Konopka and Lt. Christopher Amis piloted the aircraft.

The event was concluded with a reception and cake cutting ceremony in the chapel's fellowship hall.

To find out more about what POW/MIAs have gone through and the issues facing them today visit their Web site at www. powmiaff.org.