For the Hillsboro R-III School District, one of the most meaningful nights of the school year will take place before the football team ever takes the field.
On Friday, Sept. 11, Hillsboro R-III will host its sixth annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony, bringing together students, veterans, military families and members of the community to honor American prisoners of war, those who remain missing in action and those who have returned home.
The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. inside the Hillsboro High School gymnasium. Following the ceremony, the Hillsboro Hawks will host Holt High School of Wentzville at 7:30 p.m. Video from last year's event can be seen at this link and also below.
Both schools will take part in the evening's remembrance.
Telling Their Stories
A central part of the ceremony will be sharing the stories of POW/MIA service members and veterans with connections to Missouri and the surrounding St. Louis metropolitan area.
Those recognized during the ceremony will include Capt. Robert John Morris Jr., Coxswain Noble Burnice Harris, Petty Officer First Class William Edward Vierling, Marine Sgt. Rocky Sickmann, Col. John Clark and Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie.
Family members, veterans and special guests are expected to attend.
The ceremony will begin with the posting of colors by the St. Louis Special Needs Color Guard. The Hillsboro High School Marching Band will perform the national anthem.
The evening is part of Hillsboro R-III's commitment as a POW/MIA Campus to help students understand the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. military and their families while continuing to raise awareness of Americans who remain unaccounted for.
Students and Veterans Connected Through Challenge Coins
Students from both Hillsboro and Holt will have an opportunity to personally participate in the remembrance through a special challenge coin exchange.
Senior football players and cheerleaders from both schools will take part, along with Hillsboro seniors representing the band, choir and Hawkettes. Veterans in attendance and the football teams' head coaches will also participate.
The exchange provides students with a personal connection to the veterans and military families being recognized while continuing a military tradition associated with service, respect and camaraderie.
The ceremony is scheduled to conclude with the playing of taps and the retiring of the colors.
Hawks to Honor Lt. Michael Blassie
When Hillsboro takes the field later that evening, the Hawks will carry the story of one particular service member with them.
Hillsboro's special uniforms and helmets will honor Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie, a St. Louis University High School graduate whose aircraft was shot down during the Vietnam War.
Blassie's call sign, "Hawk Zero Two," will be featured on the Hawks' uniforms and helmets.
Blassie's remains were once interred at the Tomb of the Unknowns as the Vietnam Unknown. Following years of advocacy by his family, DNA testing confirmed his identity, and his remains were returned to his family in 1998.
His brother, George Blassie, is expected to attend this year's ceremony.
Remembering Patricia Blassie
This year's ceremony will also include a special remembrance of Michael Blassie's sister, retired Air Force Col. Patricia "Pat" Blassie, who died in July following a courageous battle with cancer.
Patricia Blassie became a determined advocate for her brother and for America's missing service members. She worked tirelessly in the effort to have DNA testing conducted to establish her brother's identity.
Even after Michael was identified and returned home, her work continued. She used her family's experience to bring attention to the thousands of other military families still waiting for answers about their loved ones.
Hillsboro R-III will honor both Michael and Patricia Blassie during the Sept. 11 ceremony.
Remembrance Continues Sept. 18
The district's commitment to remembrance will continue one week later on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
On Friday, Sept. 18, Hillsboro R-III will hold an 18-hour vigil at the district's permanent POW/MIA Memorial in front of Hillsboro Intermediate School.
The vigil will begin at 6 a.m. and continue until midnight. Members of the Hillsboro community are encouraged to visit the memorial throughout the day and spend time remembering those who became prisoners of war, those who remain missing in action and the families who continue to wait for answers.
POW/MIA Remembrance Night
Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony: 5:30 p.m.
Hillsboro High School Gymnasium
Hillsboro Hawks vs. Holt High School
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Hillsboro High School
123 Leon Hall Parkway
Hillsboro, MO