Support the 33^rd Annual POW/MIA 24-Hour Senior Vigil set for Friday/November 11th

The Central Washington University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 895 “Cascade Cowboys” and Army ROTC “Wildcat Battalion” Senior Class of 2023 will conduct a 24-Hour Vigil on Veteran’s Day to honor and remember POW/MIA Service members. It will start Friday at 12:00 a.m. and end at 11:59 p.m. in front Lind Hall – South Lawn Area (next to East University Way), Ellensburg Campus.

This ROTC event is the 33^rd Annual POW/MIA 24-Hour Senior Vigil consecutively hosted by Air Force ROTC Detachment 895 “Cascade Cowboys.” This will be the first year the Army ROTC Wildcat Battalion will be involved in said event. During the 24-hour period, each senior will rotate shifts and stand guard over a POW/MIA Memorial set up to honor those who are “not forgotten.

The Opening Ceremony will be led by Air Force ROTC Detachment 895 Commander, Lt. Col. Joel Hearn, at approximately 11:45 p.m. Thursday night, and then a Closing Ceremony led by Army ROTC Department Chair and Professor of Military Science, LTC Joe Paolilli at approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday night.

Cadets will also staff a table, featuring memorabilia of significance to POW/MIA families, and provide additional information. CWU and all Kittitas County community members are encouraged to come to ceremonies, view the displays during the vigil, visit with cadets not “on duty,” or honk their vehicle horns as they drive by to indicated support for the participants.

For additional awareness, the public will also see an Air Force ROTC POW/MIA 24-Hr. Senior Vigil Banner “You are not forgotten” proudly displayed across University Way during 7-13 November.

Along with the vigil, cadets from both the Air Force and Army ROTC programs will represent CWU as they participate in the Ellensburg Veterans Day Parade on Friday at 11:00 a.m.