24-Hour Memorial

In remembrance of those who have served, especially Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA), the Earl S. Hoag Squadron guarded their POW MIA memorial for 24 hours on Thursday, 8 November. With the assistance of Detachment 470, the Earl S. Hoag Squadron marched around the memorial as thousands of students walked to and from their classes.

The bamboo cage, Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) blouse, boots, and a candle constantly lit served as a memorial for those captured or missing during war. Cadets marched in a square around the cage, rifle in hand.

At that afternoon, three cadets, Rogers, Saddler, and Duke, read the names of the Nebraskans who are POW or MIA. As the day slowed, fewer people walked through campus as the names were read. Eight individuals stopped and stayed as the names were read over the sound system, others removed their hats as they walked past.

24 hours of constant guard was powerful for many students and faculty. With several saying “thank you,” it was made known how appreciative some were of the Squadron and Detachment 470.

Special thank you to the following cadets who volunteered: Rogers, Perroni, Butler, Florance, Duke, Wills, VanderZwaag, Holden, Takacs, Schwanke, Crnkovich, Leach, Huddleston, Arant, Saddler, Culter, Edwards, Wonda, Byrne, Jason Komyathy, Joshua Komyathy, Rall, Habermeyer, Jacobs, Grohowski, and Goins.

POW MIA Awareness

DeCANstruction

Offutt AFB Air Show 2012

Air Force Association Annual Golf Tournament

Cadets Florance, Duke, Schwanke, and Rogers volunteered their time on Friday, 10 August, to help with the Annual Air Force Association (AFA) Golf Tournament. With a break in the summer’s record heat, the cadets enjoyed a relaxed afternoon with the golfers at Willow Lakes Golf Course.

Each cadet was placed at a specific holoe on the course. Hole 3, manned by C/1Lt Duke and Becca of Offutt Collision Repair, was the 50/50 hole. For $5 the golfers could attempt to get their ball on the green in order to place their name in the raffle. The money raised at hole 3 was split between the AFA and teh winner of the raffle. The beverage car, staffed by C/Capt Florance, was placed at hole 6. C/3C Schwanke and C/Maj Rogers were stationed at hole 11. There was a special prize for the golfer who got a hole-in-one at hole 11. A new Chevrolet, sponsored by Beardmore Chevrolet of Bellevue, was the coveted prize. Unfortunately, no one was lucky enough to get a hole-in-one.

The beautiful day was topped off with steak dinners and gift bags sponsored by the AFA. Although no one was awarded the new Chevrolet, it was a successful day. The cadets helped raise money for the AFA and spent the afternoon visiting with the retirees.

Offutt AFB Defenders of Freedom Air Show 2011

2011 Candidate Group Leadership Project

Earl S. Hoag Squadron Honors and Remembers POW / MIAs

AAS C/1Lt Jason Rogers
8 November 2011

It was cold, dark, and raining but cadets dressed in ABUs holding rifles in their hands remained at attention despite the adverse weather conditions.

“They went through it, and they went through worse, we can do it for a day,” said Cadet Major Reis who was amongst the cadets standing guard for first shift of the 24 hour POW/MIA remem- brance guard on Tuesday November 8th in UNO’s Pep Bowl. Cadets from Earl S. Hoag Arnold Air Society Squadron, Air Force ROTC Detachment 470, and Army ROTC Blackwolves Battalion took shifts standing guard around a bamboo cage throughout the day. Inside the cage was an empty uni- form, boots, combat helmet, and a candle representative of the prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action who have yet to come home.

“By doing this publically we are able to tell not only the public but also our public lead- ers that we want to continue the search and keep looking,” said Reis.

As students and members of the community walked by, they stopped and stared in solemn silence. Many saw the signs that signified that the event was in honor of POW/ MIA remembrance but many who didn’t simply walked up and asked what the guard was all about. They were answered with a guard snapping to attention and answering politely and directly that the event was for our brothers and sisters in arms who had not yet returned home.

“I was very happy that we had the amount of inter- est we had, especially from the students of UNO. All in all this was a very good event,” added Reis.

The 24 hour memorial culminated in a POW/MIA candlelight vigil later that evening. Cadets, members from the community, and active and retired members of several service branches were pre- sent to pay their respects to those who had given the ulti- mate sacrifice.

Lt David Hancock of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron out of Offutt Air Force Base who spoke of veterans and POW / MIAs. “If those who are killed in action gave the ultimate sacrifice, prisoners of war take the ultimate test,” said Hancock.

After Hancock’s speech, the names of those still missing in action or who are still prisoners of war from the state of Nebraska were read to the assem- bly and a moment of silence followed.

All in all it was a humbling day that reminded every- one involved that, in the words of 1st Lt Hancock, “Being born free is a privilege, dying free is a responsibility.” It is our responsibility, those who remember, to honor those who have given everything for our freedom.

2012-2013 Officer List

Commander: C/Maj Jason Rogers
Deputy Commander: C/Capt Daniel Florance
Operations Officer: C/1Lt Mark Byrne
Financial Management Officer: C/1Lt Colten Holden
Public Affairs Officer: C/ 1Lt Sarah Duke
Silver Wings Liaison Officer: C/1Lt Jacquie Arant
Candidate Training Officer: C/1Lt Payton Rockwell
Information Management Officer: C/1Lt Regina Aquino
Support Officer: N/A