To the summit and back

On May 25, the Colony High School Jr. ROTC cadets summited Mount POW/MIA.

The hike up the mountain is an annual event that takes place on Memorial Day weekend for the Colony Jr. ROTC program. Once at the top of the mountain this year, the cadets replaced the flags, as is the custom. But this year, they also placed a picnic table at the summit.

Some might ask, "Why a picnic table at the top of a mountain?" The cadets felt that with a fantastic view, a picnic table at the top would make a great rest area.

Cadet Jesse White said the day was fantastic for a hike.

"Yeah, it was a sunny day, and it was really hot," White said.

A total of 20 cadets made the trip up the mountain, and all came out a little red because of the sun.

"It was a beautiful day -- hot and sunny. When the cadets hiked down the mountain they looked like lobsters," said Lt. Col. Ed Strabel, a Jr. ROTC leader.

The start point of the trail is 3.1 miles from the pavement on Eklutna Lake Road. The hike is about five miles roundtrip, and involves a vertical climb of about 3,000 feet. It is the plateau-shaped mountain three peaks west of Pioneer Peak.

John Morrissey, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran now living in New York, spent two days climbing the mountain in 1998. Morrissey placed a flag on the peak honoring those missing in action and prisoners of war.

He also worked on getting the name recognized as Mount POW/MIA.

It is believed to be the largest "monument" in the world dedicated to former prisoners of war and those missing in action.