“You try to remember just to say that you’re not forgotten,” Space Force honors Prisoners of War

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Military personnel gathered at Peterson Space Force Base today in remembrance of those held as Prisoners of War (POW) and those missing in action.

One of the last World War II POWs lives in Colorado Springs.

"I almost tear up a lot of times because I think of all of them," said Ed Beck. "it's really hard to do."

Ed Beck has seen a lot in his ninety-seven years. A retired master sergeant, a prisoner of war in World War II, and the commander of a group for those veterans in the Pike's Peak region.

“There was about 200 in our chapter at one time — the Rocky Mountain chapter here in Colorado Springs,” Beck shared.

Now there are only three. Two now living in Denver and Beck, who is the last standing in Colorado Springs.

"You try to remember just to say that you're not forgotten," said Beck.

Now he carries the weight of remembering and memorializing the ones who have passed on.

Beck said, “it's hard to send all of these obituaries in, and I’ve sent in so many of them from the chapter."

Even through the pain of missing his brothers in arms, he's grateful to continue living. After countless missions on the battlefield, he says there's still work to do before he knows it's his time to go.

“I’m gonna hear that word from god, 'come on home ed. You have completed your mission. Your work on earth is done, come home.”