NAS Jax observes POW/MIA Day

The ceremony began at 1 p.m. with the playing of the national anthem by Navy Band Southeast followed by the invocation and the POW Pledge of Allegiance by former World War II Prisoner of War Herman Lodinger.

Lodinger was a bombardier with the Army Air Corp 564th Bomb Squadron, 389th Group. As a second lieutenant, his B-24 aircraft was shot down over Nazi Germany. He was taken prisoner and confined at Stalag Luft 3, the camp made famous by the "Great Escape." Many of the escaped POWs were recaptured and executed, as depicted in the 1963 movie starring Steve McQueen.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby, Jr. addressed the crowd and thanked the POWs for their service.

"Each year since 1979, our nation observes this week to recognize and honor the service of our POWs and MIAs. All across this great country of ours we gather to remember and honor the courage and sacrifices of these brave men and women. It's a time to remind ourselves and our country to not forget our responsibilities to those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice," said Scorby.

Former North Vietnam Prisoner of War retired Navy Capt. Henry Lesesne talks about some his experiences after being captured during the Vietnam Conflict and his time spent in the Hanoi Hilton during the annual POW/MIA Observance Sept. 19 at the NAS Jax All Saint's Chapel.

"All of us embrace the true meaning of patriotism and taking responsibility for this nation's destiny is our No. 1 job. Whether American men and women serve on the ground, in the air or on the high seas, all of us share the basic belief that actions speak louder than words. All of us share the basic belief that steadfast vigi-

lance and selfless sacrifice is the eternal price for freedom. 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 freedom, it is still so today."

Scorby then introduced Director of Military Affairs for the City of Jacksonville Dan McCarthy. McCarthy talked about the importance of remembering POWs. "I've been coming to this event for three or four years now and each year there are fewer of them present. This is not just POW/MIA Day, it's Patriot's Week. It's a chance to reflect on what these men and women have done and the sacrifices they took on. Thank you very much to the POWs who are here today for all you've done for this country."

Director of Military Affairs for the City of Jacksonville Dan McCarthy talks about the importance of remembering those veterans who were prisoners of war and missing in action during past and present wars. McCarthy spoke on behalf of Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton.

This year's keynote speaker was retired Navy Capt. Henry Lesesne, a former POW during the Vietnam Conflict who recounted how he ended up at the infamous Hanoi Hilton. "I left NAS Cecil Field in 1969 and transferred to NAS Lemoore Calif. to fly A-4 Skyhawks with VA-55. My wife, Linda and I got there and moved into base housing and were surrounded by POW wives who had not heard from their husbands and didn't know if they were dead or alive. We helped them out as much as we could," recalled Lesesne. "Then I got deployed on board USS Hancock (CV 19). I was on my 165th combat mission. I was not supposed to fly that day because I had just come off another flight and was headed to debrief when they said they needed another Iron Hand pilot for a mission. They said you're it, so I went to man up. For those of you who don't know, the Iron Hand mission was to fly over the country and try to bomb the surface to air missile (SAM) sites before they could fire at us."

"I was over Hanoi and we got lit up good. We fired all our missiles and were doing a sharp turn to get out when I was hit by a SAM right over downtown Hanoi. I ejected and woke up in a room that was about five by six feet with no window, just a red light overhead. And, that's where my internment started. I was in the Hanoi Hilton in solitary confinement for about three months. When I got out, they moved me into another room (a bigger room) so I could exercise," explained Lesesne.

Guests of the annual POW/MIA Observance bow their heads in prayer during the event Sept. 19 at the All Saint's Chapel.

"I called out to see if there were any other POWs in the area and I got a response saying, 'Is that you Hank?' I said yes, who is that? It was John McCain. John and I had been stationed together for many years. The first thing he asked was how his family was. I didn't have the stomach to tell him that his wife had been in a serious accident right before I was shot down, so I told him everyone was fine. But, he found out when he came home. I was punished for yelling out that day and didn't get any food for three days," he said.

"I was released on March 28, 1973. I continued my career and became the CO of an A-7 squadron. I was so excited to be back in the U.S. - the country that I love where I could perform for my country and my citizens," said Lesesne proudly.

The ceremony concluded with the benediction followed by a reception and cake cutting ceremony in the chapel's fellowship hall.

Photo by MC2(AW) Brian Smarr Former World War II POW Herman Lodinger, reads the POW Pledge of Allegiance at the NAS Jax POW/MIA Observance Sept. 19.

POW/MIA observances are held nationally and reaffirm a promise to fallen comrades, "You Are Not Forgotten."