Iowa State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 250, alongside Navy and Army ROTC cadets, will honor our nation’s Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) servicemembers and their sacrifices during a joint commemorative run Friday Sept. 18th. The event kicks off with an opening ceremony in the Iowa State Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines at 8:15 a.m., followed by a continuous relay run concluding with a final completion ceremony at the Iowa State University Memorial Union at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Media members and the public are invited to attend both ceremonies and cover the cadets along the route to help preserve the legacy of America’s unaccounted-for heroes.
The events in Des Moines at the Capitol begin at 8:15 a.m. and include:
- Remarks by Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs Chairwoman Darlene McMartin, and reading of the proclamation signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds
- The beginning of a 33-mile run by cadets
The events in Ames include:
- Student cadets performing an honor guard remembrance memorial, stand watch at the Gold Star Hall in the Iowa State University Memorial Union from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- A formation run arrival about 2:30-3:00 p.m. at Jack Trice Memorial Stadium overpass.
- Ceremonial remarks at the Memorial Union, about 3:30-4:45
The closing remarks will be delivered by Mr. Brady Talley of the Military Affiliated Student Center.
Nationwide, the third Friday of September is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day. This is the 31st year of the Air Force ROTC’s event. The honor guard at Memorial Union includes a symbolic table set for one, a tradition that began after the end of the Vietnam War, to honor servicemembers designated POW or MIA status.
