Mrs. Mary Hoff, a member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, and an MIA wife, understood the significance and need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs.

In 1971, an article in the Jacksonville (Florida) Times Union caught Mrs. Hoff's eye. She contacted Norman Rivkees, VP, Annin & Company. Annin & Company provided flags to all United Nations members. They had made a banner for the Peoples Republic of China, it’s newest member.

Mr. Rivkees was very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue. With the assistance of Annin’s ad agency, a flag was designed to represent our missing men. The flags were manufactured for distribution after approval from the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.

The flag is black, with the "League’s" emblem in the center, in black and white. The emblem is a white disk, with, in black silhouette the bust of a man, watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire. Above the disk, is a star flanked by "POW" and "MIA" in white letters. Below the disk, a black and white wreath is above the white motto "YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN".

The original POW/MIA Flag design has been altered by groups and individuals many times. The reversal or changes of the colors from white on black (to red, white and blue, or, black on white) as well as POW/MIA reversed to MIA/POW, are irrelevant. What is paramount is the constant visibility of the flag, as a perpetual vigil for America’s POW/MIAs, their plights and our quest.

On March 9, 1989, a POW/MIA Flag, was raised in the United States Capitol Rotunda. This flag was first flown, on the 1988 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, over the White House. This was the result of the 100th session of Congress passing, overwhelmingly , legislation.

This POW/MIA Flag, the only flag displayed in the United States Capitol Rotunda, is a powerful, distinctive icon, of our national commitment for a full accounting for Americans missing in Southeast Asia. This flag has also become synonymous with all our POW/MIAs all wars.

We should all stand tall and proudly salute each and every POW, MIA, KIA, and all soldiers, airmen, airwomen, marines, sailors, reservist, national guard persons, and, in general , all that have rendered obedience to our grand American Flag.

This Information Was Obtained From:
The National League Of POW/MIA Families

 

 

 

Code Of Conduct
For
Flying the POW/MIA Flag
The POW/MIA Flag takes it's place and has precedence over State flags.
All our brothers and sisters who are listed as
POWs (Prisoners of War) and MIAs (Missing in Action)
hail from each state in our union.

The following guidelines should be practiced when flying the POW/MIA flag

Flying the flag from one (1) flag pole
The POW/MIA flag is flown directly below the American Flag and above any state flag.

Flying the American Flag, POW/MIA and State flags from two (2) flag poles
The POW/MIA flag should be flown from the same pole as the American Flag and beneath the American Flag. The state flag should fly from the pole to the left.

Flying flags from three (3) flag poles
The American Flag takes it's prominent place to the right, with the POW/MIA flag immediately to the left of the American Flag. The state flag should fly to the left of the POW/MIA flag.

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