POW

The POW/MIA issue has been of great concern since the end of Vietnam. Losing a loved one or comrade, not knowing their fate. Needs to be the concern of all man kind.

We as a nation send our young men and women to distant countries. Fighting for freedom and justice, none expecting to be taken prisoner of war or missing in action. Yet, that remains a very real threat to each and everyone.

Here in our United States we have the worst record for obtaining the release of our POW's and locating the missing in action. We must remain united in our resolve to obtain accountabity for all POW/MIA's. We muct continue to make the public aware of this issue and to instruct our children so this awareness carries on to the next generation.

POW/MIA Day for this year was September 20th as proclaimed by the President, many of our Posts members wear POW/MIA braclets bearing the names of family members or comrades in arms who are the among the missing.

Each year, our Post gives to a local school assembly, a POW/MIA Flag and explain the history and meaning of the flag to the students. Sometimes we are priviledged to have the assistance of Fran Masterson, whose husband Ltc. Michael "Bat" Masterson was classified as MIA for many years. She (Fran) has spoken to the students and teachers of her efforts to obtain information on her husband and other POW/MIA's. Long hours of reading declassified information, contacting Senators and Congressmen. Fran is very dedicated to the POW/MIA issue and the ongoing struggle for resolution of all who are missing in action or prisoners of war.

We must also remain vigilant in our efforts and keep abreast of all new developments. This can be done by attending POW/MIA Programs and watching newspapers and television and the internet. There are many sites on the internet which carry news of progress or set backs on this issue, both should be addressed to your local Congressman and Senators. If all of us let our voices be heard by those we have elected, perhaps more families will have the closure due them and our present and future members of the Armed Forces will be able to say.

They will not be forgotten!

When to fly POW/MIA Flag

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.