Southern Illinois University Carbondale will hold its 45th annual Veterans Day flagpole vigil on Nov. 11 from 6 a.m. to noon. An 11 a.m. ceremony will include a proclamation from Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey and remarks from retired United States Air Force Brig. Gen. Walt Lindsley, who is a 1989 SIU alumnus. (Photo by SIU Carbondale).
November 04, 2026
SIU to hold 45th annual Veterans Day flagpole vigil
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with the annual vigil at the flagpole near the center of campus.
This year’s event marks the 45th anniversary of the flagpole vigil, which began in 1981. The event honors SIU and Southern Illinois veterans who served their country in the U.S. armed forces.
SIU Air Force and Army ROTC programs, in partnership with SIU Veterans Services, are coordinating the vigil, which begins at 6 a.m. at the Old Main Flagpole, just south of Woody Hall. ROTC cadets will stand silent throughout the day, changing shifts every 15 minutes, until noon.
The 11 a.m. ceremony includes a proclamation from Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey and remarks by distinguished guest speaker retired United States Air Force Brig. Gen. Walt Lindsley, who is a 1989 SIU alumnus.
Lindsley entered the Air Force in 1982 and received his commission in 1989 after completing Air Force Officer Training School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and technology from SIU and went on to earn two master’s degrees. Over the course of a 37-year military career, Lindsley held a range of aircraft, munitions and logistics assignments around the world. The retired brigadier general served several deployments, including in Europe during the Cold War, Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Northern Watch Iraq.
In addition, Lindsley survived the 9/11 terrorist attack while inside the Pentagon and later deployed for Afghanistan. He then served a remote one-year tour at Kunsan Air Force Base, South Korea. Before retiring from the military, he acted as the director of logistics, engineering and force protection for the Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where he led more than 270 professionals across eight divisions.
Throughout his service, Lindsley earned multiple awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 25 service awards and decorations, and 41 devices. Now retired from active duty, Lindsley is currently a consultant after a five-year stint as an executive at Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Lt. Col. Chay Derbigny, commander of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 205, believes this year’s ceremony is especially meaningful as America celebrates its 250th and SIU’s AFROTC program marks its 75th anniversary.
“Celebrating 75 years of AFROTC Detachment 205 means honoring generations of Salukis who chose service over self, built lifelong bonds through shared sacrifice, and developed the character, courage, and teamwork required to lead,” Derbigny said. “Their legacy lives on in every cadet who follows, committed to serving our nation and carrying Det 205’s tradition of excellence into the Air and Space Forces.”
The ceremony will conclude with the laying of a wreath and the playing of “Taps” by the SIU Trumpet Studio under the leadership of Ricky Spears, assistant professor of practice in the School of Music.
If you require accommodations or have questions, contact Paul Copeland at the SIU Carbondale Veterans Services office at 618-453-1317 or paul.copeland@siu.edu.