ROTC students will run from Des Moines to Ames on Friday morning in recognition of prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

The event coincides with National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Molly Clause, administrative assistant for the Iowa Secretary of State, will read a proclamation at a ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial near the State Capitol in Des Moines before the students begin their run. The proclamation will recognize prisoners of war and the importance of their sacrifice to America’s freedom.

“It is essential that all Americans, not just the university, realize that freedom isn’t free,” said Maj. James Barclay, adjunct assistant professor of Air Force and aerospace studies.

“These men and women have given up everything so that all of us can express our freedoms. That is why we take this one day to recognize the POWs and MIAs.”

The Arnold Air Society, an organization to Iowa State’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 250, will be co-sponsoring a number of activities.

“These people have made the greatest sacrifice for their country and they are defending our country in a very special way — that is why we take this day to honor them,” said Louis Kishkunas, junior in political science and cadet lieutenant colonel for the Air Force ROTC.

A group of 24 ROTC students, accompanied by one officer, is scheduled to take part in a memorial relay run from the Des Moines Capitol to the Memorial Union at Iowa State. Half of the group of students will leave the Capitol with a POW/MIA flag and an American flag.

The runners will meet the rest of their group near Ankeny, where they will hand off the flags to the second group to take to Ames. Last year, the students ran on U.S. Highway 69, but due to road construction complications, they are scheduled to run along Interstate 35 this year.

A tri-service ceremony and a formal ceremony will be held in the Food Science Building at 5:30 p.m. Friday, and will feature guest speaker Kenneth H. Dahlberg, a former POW.

“We are excited about our guest speaker,” said Sarah McKown, sophomore in history.

“Our scheduled speaker last year, unfortunately, had a heart attack and was unable to make it.” The first National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony was held at the White House in 1984, and was hosted by President Ronald Reagan.

The ceremony’s main concern is to ensure that America remembers its responsibility in standing behind those who have served our nation and to do anything to account for those who do not return.