NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC. Post Office Box 1229 Bayonne, New Jersey  07002-6229 Phone: 908-638-6010   Fax: 908-638-8443

New Jersey State Council Legislative Position Paper

Support Legislation To Allow The POW/MIA Flag To Be Displayed At All Federal Buildings Any Day When The Flag Of The United States Is Displayed.

 WHEREAS, the issue of our POWs and MIAs remain as powerful as ever with over eighty-eight thousand POW/MIAs remaining unaccounted for since World War II, and;

 WHEREAS, the United States has fought in many wars, and thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the enemy or listed as missing in action. In the 20th century alone, more than 147,000 Americans were captured and became prisoners of war; of that number more than 15,000 died while in captivity. When we add to the number those who are still missing in action, we realize that more can be done to honor their commitment to duty, honor, and country, and;

 WHEREAS, On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed P.L. 101-355 which officially recognized the POW/MIA flag.  Displaying this flag is a powerful symbol to all Americans that we have not forgotten, and will not forget, and;

 WHEREAS, the display serves as the symbol of the Nation's concern and commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans who, having been prisoners of war or missing in action, still remain unaccounted for, and as the symbol of the Nation's commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans who in the future may become prisoners of war, missing in action, or otherwise unaccounted for as a result of hostile action, and;

 WHEREAS, the importance of the POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America's POW/MIAs. Other than "Old Glory", the 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 POW/MIA flag now flies 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 World War II Memorial, 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, and;

 WHEREAS, the display of the POW/MIA flag would be a forceful reminder that we care not only for the missing in action and those held prisoner of war, but also for their families who personally carry with them the burden of sacrifice. We want the families to know that they do not stand alone, that we stand with them and beside them, as they remember the loyalty and devotion of those who served.  The remembrance of another's sacrifice in battle is one of the highest and most noble acts we can do. Let us now demonstrate our indebtedness and gratitude for those who served that we might live in freedom, and;

 WHEREAS, it is our request in the form of this resolution that we support legislation that would require the POW/MIA flag to be displayed nationally on every United States Federal building any day when the flag of the United States is displayed;

 THEREFORE, Be It Resolved, the Vietnam Veterans of America, New Jersey State Council on March 11^th, 2007 strongly supports legislation which would require the POW/MIA flag to be displayed nationally on every United States Federal building any day when the flag of the United States is displayed.                                      

  John D. LeGates

 President

Prepared by Robert E. McNulty, Sr., Chairman

NJSC Government Affairs Committee

Chapter 825 member

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