The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks hosts an Ex-Prisoner of War/Missing in Action recognition ceremony annually at the Medical Center in Fayetteville. University of Arkansas Air Force and Army ROTC cadets take integral roles in this solemn event, which brings future military leaders together with the veterans who have served our country as they carry out this remembrance.

On Friday, Sept. 15, the groups honored those still missing from our nation's past wars and conflicts and those who made the ultimate sacrifice and whose remains have not yet been recovered to be returned home.

The keynote speaker was Air Force cadet Nicholas Hauch, a fifth-year senior who plans to graduate in May with his degree in mechanical engineering. Hauch earned many distinctions in his ROTC career, including being a superior performer in field training, a past wing commander, and being recognized by the Society of American Military Engineers with the ROTC Award of Merit for being ranked in the top 25 percent of his peers in both ROTC and engineering classes.

"Meeting some of the veterans, some of who are ex-prisoners of war themselves, helped put things into perspective for me," said Hauch. "This sobering ceremony helps to show our veterans and families of those missing in action our appreciation for their service."

Other cadets taking active roles in the ceremony are Air Force cadet Benjamin T. Fiser as the Master of Ceremonies and the joint Army and Air Force Honor Guard.