Campus Life

Penn State to host annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action vigil Sept. 16

Annual remembrance ceremony to honor America’s prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will host its annual Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Vigil on Sept. 16 from 5 to 6 p.m. This event will take place at Old Main Lawn on the University Park campus and is open to the public. Military veterans and those with family members serving in the U.S. armed forces are invited to attend.

This event is in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day, which also takes place on the same day. This nationally recognized holiday was created to remind Americans to honor those who have served and those who never had the chance to return home.

“Celebrating the POW/MIA Vigil every year serves as a vital remembrance to all the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” said Penn State Air Force ROTC Cadet and Arnold Air Society Commander Sebastian Valentin. “The execution of the vigil allows ROTC cadets and midshipmen in our Penn State community to offer support and help raise awareness for the families and friends of those who remain missing. Being able to witness such an event is truly life-changing.”

In addition to a rifle salute by members of the American Legion, there also will be a performance of taps at the joint-service vigil, speakers, and performances by the Wild Blue Yonders, Penn State Air Force ROTC’s a cappella group. The evening also will include a missing-man-table ceremony, which symbolizes and pays tribute to those who answered our nation's call to serve and were not able to return home. At 5 p.m., Honor Guards and ROTC cadets will begin protecting the missing-man table for a full 24 hours until the vigil ends on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Penn State will lower its American flag to half-staff and raise the POW/MIA flag to half-staff in honor of the prisoners of war and those missing in action. Cadets and midshipmen from Penn State’s Air Force, Army and Naval ROTC programs will be present.

In the event of severe weather, the vigil will be moved inside to the Freeman Auditorium in the HUB-Robeson Center.

“Our country is unique in that we demand full accounting for our service members who fight our wars, and we as a nation, will not rest until that is done,” said Eugene McFeely, Penn State’s senior director for veterans affairs and services and chair of Penn State’s Military Appreciation Committee. “At Penn State, we feel it is important for us to come together as a community and to take the time to remember those who went to war on behalf of our nation and have not yet returned as they are missing in action. This ceremony acknowledges our national responsibility to account for those who are POW/MIA and to ensure that they are not forgotten and one day return home.”

This event is held annually by the Harry R. Armstrong Squadron, which is Penn State Air Force ROTC’s chapter of the Arnold Air Society. The vigil has been taking place for roughly 35 years and was originally organized by Penn State veterans who served during the Vietnam War to honor the service of men and women who were unable to return from duty or who were taken as prisoners of war.

Penn State supports the military

Penn State has a long-standing and proud tradition of serving the men and women of our military through education benefits, resources, support and more. This year, Penn State faculty and staff members who serve or have served will be honored during a series of campus events, including the military appreciation football game on Nov. 12. Visit militaryappreciation.psu.edu to learn more.  

Last Updated September 13, 2022

Contact