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The four pillars of resiliency ... physical, mental, spiritual
and social ... are drilled into the minds of Airmen today to
emphasize how important it is that no matter what life situation
they are going through, there is always a healthy way to handle the
situation.
While they didn’t come packaged with program names
like Comprehensive Airman Fitness, these same concepts were
practiced back in 1939 when U.S. military members used them to
survive life-threatening situations in a time of conflict. These
skills allowed many heroes to tell their stories of survival to
generations to come.
One story from this era was revealed by
former U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant Lloyd Ponder from his home in
Natchitoches, Louisiana on November 29, 2017. As a World War II
veteran who was captured and made a prisoner of war, Ponder was
determined to use resiliency to make it out of a Japanese-controlled
POW camp alive.
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November 29, 2017 - Lloyd Ponder, World War II veteran, shares
personal items he acquired while held as a prisoner of war in the
Philippines during World War II, with William Callaway, Eighth Air
Force historian, at his home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Ponder
recalls nearly all of his experiences during WWII and shared his
story with the local community in hopes that people today will learn
valuable lessons about what individuals endured during WWII, and how
determination, hope and perseverance play vital roles to survival
and success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Erin Trower)
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“Your mental attitude toward how you handle situations
has a lot to do with your success,” Ponder said. “A lot of
our fellas would give up, and they ended up not getting
through it.”
While Ponder was captured, he recalled
what things in life were most important to him and had a
burning desire to do whatever he could to survive.
“Regardless of what others do, grit your teeth and do what
needs to be done,” Ponder said. “Just never give up.”
Physical labor and displays of suffering were a daily
occurrence. However despite the difficulties, Ponder kept
persevering and credits his survival on his determination.
“I remember thinking, ‘if anyone is going to get out of
this alive, it’s going to be me,’” Ponder reflected.
“Determination is the attitude you had to have, knowing you
could survive whatever!”
Ponder proudly claims that
not only did he survive being held as a POW, but he also
managed to accomplish something more miraculous.
“When I got out, I didn’t have a scratch anywhere,” Ponder
exclaimed. “That’s a miracle!”
According to Ponder,
the only injury he received was self-inflicted … from
opening a can of rations.
Although times have
changed, Ponder shares words of advice that were applicable
to him more than 75 years ago. That is … to always have
hope, no matter what.
“Hope makes a difference,”
Ponder concluded. “If you don’t have hope, you’re gone.
Having hope can get you through anything.”
Eighth Air
Force commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, met with Ponder
on December 6, 2017 at his home to recognize him for his
outstanding bravery and contributions during his time of
service.
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December 6, 2017 - U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Bussiere,
Eighth Air Force commander, recognizes Lloyd Ponder, a World War II
aircraft mechanic who was captured and held as a prisoner of war, at
his home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Bussiere presented Ponder with an
Eighth Air Force 75th Anniversary patch and coin as a way to
recognize him for his contributions and to personally thank him for
the sacrifices he made. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Erin
Trower)
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“We look at what our Airmen are doing today, and we want
them to remember what your generation did,” Bussiere said.
“We can read the books, and we can watch the movies, but
meeting American heroes like you in person makes all the
difference.”
Bussiere presented Ponder with an Eighth
Air Force 75th Anniversary patch and coin as a way of
showing appreciation for his actions and all he endured.
“Your spirit and determination will inspire our young
Airmen. They will look at what you did and the adversity you
dealt with in World War II, and that will provide them great
comfort that they can get through things today in 2017,”
Bussiere concluded.
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Erin Trower
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
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