Never forget was the theme of Friday’s POW/MIA ceremony at Fort Eisenhower.
And Retired Col. Quin Herlik never will. He can’t.
The soon to be 92-year-old has attended the annual POW/MIA ceremonies at Fort Eisenhower for many years, and the ceremony still brings emotion.
“I’m always impressed by it, but not so much for ex-POWS but those MIA — those who are missing in action. I think about them. I do have some of them, and I feel sorry for the families.”
Herlick, who served in Vietnam as an Army aviator, spent 30 days as a prisoner of war in Cambodia after his plane was shot down in 1969 during his second tour.
Herlick’s mission was to intercept radio transmissions and send them back via secure FM radio.
When his plane was hit, he was able to land in a rice paddy. He fled into the jungle. At first, he hoped he could hide, but the North Vietnamese soldiers were waiting. Armed with two pistols and two rifles, he knew he could hold off a couple of soldiers, but there were too many.
He was thrown into a hole with a couple of others in his crew.
“They kept us there while American planes flew overhead looking for us,” he said before the ceremony.
At nightfall, they were removed from the hole. Over the next two nights, they marched for what Herlik estimated to be 50 miles.
After a month in captivity, they were released to the Australians who turned them over to American forces, he said. He and members of his crew were awarded Silver Stars and Purple Hearts.
The third Thursday of September has been designated to honor those POW/MIA.
“Today in many locations around the world, a ceremony like this is being held. By being here today, you and I are part of a global effort to bring recognition to this noble mission and
remind families of this special category of brave patriots that they are truly not forgotten,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Miles, Deputy Commanding General Fort Eisenhower and the Cyber Center of Excellence.
The ceremony, which included a wreath laying, a gun volley and the playing of “Taps,” was the first that Miles had officiated since taking his new position about a month ago and felt honored that it was the first.
“What a great opportunity it is to bring the community together to honor the fallen,” he said after the ceremony.
During his speech, Miles highlighted the continued efforts to identify the remains of previously interred “unknown” soldiers and bring them home.
About a year ago, while he was in Hawaii, Miles was able to attend one such ceremony for a soldier who was killed in action during the Korean War, and his remains returned. It was a fittingly solemn occasion, according to Miles.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
