How far would the average person go to honor those in our military? Iowa State University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 250 would go miles, 35 miles to be exact.

Friday, ISU Air Force ROTC commemorates National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day with a run and memorial display. The cadets from Det. 250 will run from the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines to the Memorial Union at ISU.

The memorial display will be in the Gold Star Hall of the Memorial Union.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. at the Iowa Statehouse, with a speech from Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. After Branstad’s speech, the run will start, which will be at about 9:30 a.m.

The 35 miles will be split up between two groups of cadets; each group will run for about three hours.

The first group will be starting at the Iowa Statehouse and they will meet the second group halfway between the Capitol and the MU.

The second group will finish the 35 miles. The U.S. flag will be carried continuously from the capitol to the MU.

In the Gold Star Hall of the Memorial Union, members for the honor guard will stand guard at the memorial display that will be there throughout the day. Nicholas D. Everett, AFROTC C/1st Lt. and senior in electrical engineering, said the best way to show support is to go to the display and take a look at the information available there.

To support the cadets running, people can be there when they arrive at the MU around 3:45 p.m.

What the ISU Air Force ROTC wants their actions to accomplish is simple. They want to raise awareness, and acknowledge the sacrifice that people have made for their country.

National POW/MIA Day is a “good way for everyone to honor people that are in the service,” Everett said.

For cadets, this day gives them a sense of pride. To know others have given sacrifices to the United States and recognize what they have done for the nation and with their lives is what the day is all about.

More than 83,000 Americans are still missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. “We want this day to raise awareness and have everyone acknowledge the sacrifices people in the military have made for this country,” Everett said.