“You are not forgotten.”

That sentiment was on each cadet’s mind who ran solemnly around Boomer Lake, through the night and into the blistering heat of the day.

Air Force ROTC cadets ran to remember the service members who were prisoners of war or are still missing in action — showing those who came before them that they are not forgotten.

“Our hope is that by continuing this run/memorial that the cadets of this generation gain a better understanding of those that came before them,” said Lt. Col. Chris Stewart, commander of AFROTC Det. 670.

“Even if they give their life in service of our country, someone will make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten.”

On Sept. 17-18, Oklahoma State University cadets took shifts running around Boomer Lake in Stillwater, holding the American and POW/MIA flags high as they ran. For 24 hours, the flags remained in motion, serving as a visual reminder of the sacrifices U.S. military members have made and continue to make.

Cadet Ty Epps, a senior from Calvert County, Maryland, appreciated the opportunity to honor soldiers in a tangible way.

“Whenever we make something more interactive and physical, it makes each of us have a deeper understanding,” Epps said. “It gives us an opportunity to experience a small fraction of what POW/MIA members went through before us.”

Despite the difficult weather conditions, the cadets never lost sight of their purpose.

“Friday afternoon was extremely hot with little breeze. I think the temperature hit 100 degrees with a heat index around 105 degrees,” Stewart said. “Not one cadet complained or asked to pause.”

Before the relay began, the cadets participated in an event where they heard stories involving OSU alumni. Doing so made the experience more personal to Cadet Lucas Funero, a junior from Annandale, Virginia.

“They went to classes in the same buildings. They lived in the same buildings. They were on the same campus as us,” Funero said. “The connection that we developed with those people that came before us really brings a new perspective.”

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually on the third Friday of September. U.S. President Jimmy Carter established the day of commemoration in 1979, to honor thousands of soldiers still missing from the Vietnam War.

OSU's ROTC units have observed the day ever since, starting with flag raisings. Eventually, the annual run became a tradition over the decades.

“POW/MIA Remembrance Day may only be once a year, but we honor them at our formal events,” Stewart said. “We hope that makes a lasting impression on the cadets.”

The commemorative run gives cadets a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who came before them.

“It's more than just us running around for 24 hours,” Epps said.

“It's learning about the sacrifices that the people before us had to make, and we're learning that we have to be willing to make those sacrifices.”

2026 National POW/MIA Recognition Day "You are not forgotten"

Story By: Rachel Teran | rachel.teran10@okstate.edu