WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – A 24-hour vigil run and dual wreath laying ceremony will be held Sept. 19-20 to honor those who were held captive and returned as well as those who remain missing.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter and honors those who were held captive and returned as well as those who remain missing.
The POW/MIA Recognition opening ceremony and 24-hour vigil run will begin on Sept. 19 at 7 a.m. at the AFIT track located in Area B. In shifts of 30 minutes, participants will run, walk, or ruck in groups around the track while carrying a memorial torch, POW/MIA flag, and a scroll through the duration of their shift maintaining constant motion with the items in hand.
The 24-hour vigil run will conclude with a ceremony at the Arnold House in Area A on Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be a dual wreath-laying which is the culmination of the run and the retirement of the items that were carried during the run.
Volunteers are also needed to work in two-hour shifts during the 24-hour vigil run.
The event is free and open to anyone with base access but sign up for the run is required. To volunteer or run/ruck/walk a shift for the 24-hour vigil, contact Tech. Sgt. Ashley Albizu at ashley.albizu@us.af.mil or at (937) 938-3021.
For information about the ceremony held at the Arnold House, contact David McCoy at taterholio@hotmail.com or the local Air Force Sergeants Association at AFSAChapter751@us.af.mil.