hISTORY OF THE pow/mia fLAG
In 1971, Mrs. Michael Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the
National League of Families, recognized the
need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. Prompted by an article in
the Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union,
Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman Rivkees, Vice President of Annin
& Company which had made a banner for
the newest member of the United Nations, the People's
Republic of China, as a part of their policy to
provide flags to all United Nations members states. Mrs.
Hoff found Mr. Rivkees very sympathetic to the
POW/MIA issue, and he, along with Annin's advertising
agency, designed a flag to represent our missing
men. Following League approval, the flags were manufactured
for distribution.
On March 9, 1989, an official League flag, which flew over the White House On 1988 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony. The League's POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda where it will stand as a powerful symbol of national commitment to America's POW/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting has been achieved for U.S. personnel still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the League's POW/MIA flag and designated it "as the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation". The importance of the League's POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America's POW/MIAs. Other than "Old Glory", the League's POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, having been displayed in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982. With passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act during the first term of the 105th Congress, the League's POW/MIA flag will fly each year on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day on the grounds or in the public lobbies of major military installations as designated by the Secretary of the Defense, all Federal national cemeteries, the national Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the White House, the United States Postal Service post offices and at the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veteran's Affairs, and Director of the Selective Service System.
On March 9, 1989, an official League flag, which flew over the White House On 1988 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony. The League's POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda where it will stand as a powerful symbol of national commitment to America's POW/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting has been achieved for U.S. personnel still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the League's POW/MIA flag and designated it "as the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation". The importance of the League's POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America's POW/MIAs. Other than "Old Glory", the League's POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, having been displayed in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982. With passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act during the first term of the 105th Congress, the League's POW/MIA flag will fly each year on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day on the grounds or in the public lobbies of major military installations as designated by the Secretary of the Defense, all Federal national cemeteries, the national Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the White House, the United States Postal Service post offices and at the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veteran's Affairs, and Director of the Selective Service System.
THE "MISSING MAN TABLE"
The empty places at the table represent Americans still
missing from each of
the five branches of the military.
Americans should never forget the men and women who answered
our Nations
call to duty.
The table is round to show our everlasting concern for our missing men and women.
The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.
The single red rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice. The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith while awaiting their return.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
The slice of lemon on the plate reminds is of their bitter fate.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The glass is inverted they cannot toast with us at this time.
The chair is empty. They are NOT here.
The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope that lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home to open arms of a grateful Nation.
Let us remember – and never forget their sacrifice.
The table is round to show our everlasting concern for our missing men and women.
The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.
The single red rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice. The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith while awaiting their return.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
The slice of lemon on the plate reminds is of their bitter fate.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The glass is inverted they cannot toast with us at this time.
The chair is empty. They are NOT here.
The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope that lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home to open arms of a grateful Nation.
Let us remember – and never forget their sacrifice.
