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MIAP ceremony hosted at WA State Veterans Cemetery

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
9/10/2012 - MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. - --  Approximately 100 people made up of servicemembers and members from the local community, retirees and Patriot Guard riders gathered at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake to pay homage to 20 veterans and one spouse during the Missing In America Project Honors ceremony Sept. 10.

The purpose of the MIAP, which was launched nationwide in January 2007, is to locate, identify and enter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations and provide honor and respect to those who have served their country by securing a final resting place.

Fairchild's single Airmen programs coordinator and announcer at the ceremony, Bob Griffin opened the ceremony with a prayer followed by a few words.

"Before the year 2000, veterans and retirees would often never receive our nation's official expression of appreciation for their uniformed service," said Griffin. "This ceremony is a unique part of our demonstration of gratitude for our deceased veterans."

Following Griffin's remarks, the joint-service honor guard marched into the committal service shelter to accomplish a flag-folding ceremony, followed by Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd ARW commander, who read the names of the 20 veterans and one spouse who had not yet received their respectful farewell.

"It was a privilege to attend the MIAP ceremony to salute those who gave their very best to our country," said Newberry. "I salute everyone who made the project possible. Once you raise your hand to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, you become part of the military family so it's only appropriate for us as family to say goodbye one last time."

After the colonel slowly read each name so attendees had the chance to remember the veterans and their spouses, members of Team Fairchild's Honor Guard performed a rifle salute followed by the playing of taps.

Closing out the ceremony, Patriot Guard Riders escorted the unclaimed remains of their fellow Americans to the columbarium wall, committing their bodies to their final resting place.

Patriot Guard Rider, Dennis Ochs, who has been involved in the MIAP for two years, said it's great people thought enough to come up with the program to find veterans, claim them and get them to where they need to be.

"The feeling is hard to describe," said Ochs, who has been a Patriot Guard Riders member since 2005. "Normally we do funerals for veterans and their families, but for these individuals who have been forgotten by their families for whatever reason, it's important they be given the honor they deserve and have earned while serving and protecting this country."