The POW-MIA flag brings back many
memories for those men and women in uniform that served in combat zones. This
flag reminds those who were there that they have friends who they may never
know the fate of. It is hard on many American military personnel to think that
they made it back safely but could not provide the same comfort to the families
of those missing.
The POW-MIA (prisoners of war/missing in action) flag was designed in 1971 by
Newt Heisley under contract to Annin Flags, at the behest of Mary Hoff, the
wife of a serviceman who was missing in action. The National League of Families
of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, of which Hoff was a
member, adopted the flag as their symbol. President Ronald Reagan had one such
flag flown over the White House in 1988, which is the only flag other than the
stars and stripes to have flown over the White House. This same flag was moved
to the Capitol rotunda the next year thanks to newly passed legislation. It was
formally adopted "as a 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" in 1990.
Though the flag was created for the Vietnam War, the POW-MIA flag
brings emotions for those who have had friends missing or captured in Iraq and
Afghanistan as well. There is a feeling toward those who wear the uniform,
whether Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy or Coast Guard, to bring every last
person home. If even one person is not accounted for, the troops push to get
them back. This is the honor that the men and women who serve have for their
brothers and sisters.