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Show AggieLife Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 Page 7 A tribute to the men and women before us T o become a prisoner of war is most any words or any other movements other likely one of the most terrifying things than the ones rehearsed. Distractions such that could happen to an American sol- as students walking, biking or longboarding dier. To be taken prisoner, stripped of your through the middle of the routine did not weapons and stripped of your freedom is a deter the cadets. soldier's nightmare. Prisoners of war have As an Air Force ROTC cadet, I parbeen tortured both mentally and physically. ticipated in the tribute. My shifts were at Words cannot describe the brutality that 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 4 a.m., 8 a.m. has been put upon them. and 10:30 a.m. None of us got much sleep During the Vietnam War at Hoa Lo, a that night, but it was a small price to pay to prisoner camp, severe torture methods honor those who have sacrificed so much were used not only to get military informamore for our freedom. This was my first year taking part in the tion but to break the will of the prisoners. Rope bindings, tribute, and I felt more than honored during my irons, beatings and They do it out of loyalty prolonged solitary first shift. However, words confinement were cannot describe the pride to their country and its included as methand emotion that flooded citizens. It is our job to through me when, durods used. Despite the rules ing my 7:30 p.m. shift, a honor the pain and gentleman and his girlof the treatment of suffering they have been prisoners of war, friend stopped for a few through for us. unfair acts of punishmoments and stood in ment are still carried silence. Cadet Fenn, my fellow out. Our soldiers, however, have held guardsman during this shift, and I kept performand still do hold strong against the abuse. Some soldiers ing our facing movements without hesitawill never see the light of day again or be tion. We thought they had walked away, allowed a basic right as an American citi- across the Quad, when, from out of the zen. Prisoners of war have been harassed, darkness we heard the words to "The Star malnourished, raped, abused and even exeSpangled Banner" being sung. Cadet Fenn cuted. Some will never be accounted for and I continued with our facing movements again and will be determined as "missing in in silence, but we both were overwhelmed action." Through all this, they do not write by the pride we heard from this particular or say anything harmful to their country or gentleman. their country's mission. Cadet Isaac Fifield was my fellow guardsThe prisoners of war take this punish- man for the 4 a.m. shift. He said he was ment in order to protect our freedoms as cold and tired but a sense of pride drove Americans. They do it out of loyalty to him to complete his shift. their country and its citizens. It is our job "Every time I looked at the POW flag, to honor the pain and suffering they have I was reminded of the trials and hardships been through for us. that they went through," Fifield said. "It Out of respect and honor for those who made me realize that I had nothing to comhave sacrificed so much for us, the Air plain about. I was happy to do it and it was Force ROTC held a POW-MIA tribute on no big deal to lose sleep after participating Tuesday, Nov. 10, until Wednesday, Nov. in such an honorary event." 11. Flags posted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday I had a similar feeling run through me were guarded for 24 hours straight by two right before my shift. My alarm clock went cadets at a time. There was a POW-MIA off at 3:30 a.m., and I thought to myself flag standing next to an American flag in that I was crazy for having signed up for the middle of the Quad. Cadets performed that shift. I immediately changed my mind a routine for half-hour shifts to watch over when Fifield and I walked onto the Quad to the flags. take the place of the previous two cadets. If you have ever seen the guarding I stepped into my post feeling humble. of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in During that half hour, I realized just how Washington, D.C., then the POW-MIA trib- important the event was. ute done by the Air Force ROTC cadets I realized during my participation in the would seem familiar to you. The routine POW-MIA tribute that we should not skip a began with one cadet on either side of the day without thinking for just a few seconds flags, 10 paces out. A 10-second count about what the men and women before us would be their cue to march 10 more paces have sacrificed. toward the flags and hold another 10 seconds. Doniell Mojazza is a freshman majoring in A simple cluster of what are called "facpublic relations. Questions or comments ing movements" were performed in order can be sent to her at doniell.mojazza@aggito change the rifle from one shoulder to the email.usu.edu next. This routine was carried on without Battalion Chaplain Lt. Brian Weigelt touches the helmet on an M I 6, and I 6 dog tags representing the fallen Marines at a Combat Outpost in Ramadi, Iraq at a memorial service. UTAH STATESMAN photo f- (Wee 4277CAm 917jere %-eams 6orite emne Jig.erm." .250 o Chec29need *76::-; lexingemext Minya. Located at: 930 N. 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