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 POWs/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 part of their policy to provide flags to all United Nations' member 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. Following League approval, the flags were manufactured for distribution. The importance of the League's POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America's POWs/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. On March 9, 1989, an official League flag, which flew over the White House for the 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 that has ever been displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where it will stand as a powerful symbol of national commitment to America's POWs/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting has been achieved for U.S. personnel still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. If you would like to help with this cause please click the image below for more info.
All content © 2004 Debbie Ellis |
