Former POW wows CAFB grads

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – Former Prisoner of War, retired Air Force Col. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, congratulated the newly graduated Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 18-06 at Columbus AFB. He then spoke to the graduates about their accomplishment, and how it will change their lives, like it had his. “The things that have led you to this point are significant; intelligence, education, positive attitudes, perseverance, sacrifice and God given abilities,” Harris said. “The most important attributes however concern character. You have values you learned your entire lives … All of the attributes have been honed through your pilot training.” He went on to explain a story from his life, to show the power of the attributes all pilots develop through their training and through their lives. The keys to the AF and Navy POWs’ success in North Vietnamese captivity are “all those same attributes you have now,” Harris said. “(O)ur training and values, when needed, gave us the opportunity to step up to significant challenges,” he continued. “You are now a part of a brotherhood of air force pilots. (Source: Columbus AFB 03/16/18)