The Navy, Air Force and Army branches of the university ROTC are holding a 24-hour vigil for prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action near the Illini Union on the quad.

“We always hold this event the weekend after Veterans Day each year,” said Kevin O’Malley, a senior in LAS and United States Naval Reserve Battalion public affairs officer.

Two Midshipmen or cadets walk back and forth with mock rifles guarding a podium, where another continuously reads off the names of POW/MIAs from all wars America has been involved in, he said.

The event started at 10 a.m. Friday and will continuously until 10 a.m. Saturday, when a closing statement will be given.

The names are being read by volunteers from each of the three branches from the ROTC, each working in a one hour shift.