Bergman, Pappas Introduce National POW/MIA Flag Act

Statement

Today, Congressman Jack Bergman (MI01) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH01) introduced the National POW/MIA Flag Act and issued the following release:

HR 1579 the National POW/MIA Flag Act would require the POW/MIA flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the U.S. Capitol, White House, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation (as designated by the Secretary of Defense), each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each United States Postal Service post office.

Under current law, the POW/MIA Flag is required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.

Congressman Bergman stated, "Over 82,000 men and women who've served our nation in uniform are unaccounted for or listed as POW/MIA, including many Michiganders. Flying this flag at federal properties 365 days a year is just a small way that we can ensure their sacrifice and devotion to our nation is never forgotten."

"The POW/MIA Flag is representative of the courage and sacrifice members our armed forces have given on behalf of this nation throughout our history," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "By putting the flag on full display outside of prominent federal buildings, memorials, and national cemeteries, we are reaffirming our commitment to the more than 82,000 servicemembers who remain unaccounted for. As the representative of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, which has the longest-running POW/MIA vigil in America, I have seen how important the flag is to demonstrate that these heroes are not forgotten. I hope this bill will help encourage further display of the POW/MIA Flag and honor our servicemembers, veterans, and their families."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is proud to support this proposal to display the POW/MIA flag prominently at all federal locations," said Patrick Murray, Deputy Director of Veterans of Foreign Wars. "We must always ensure that those who sacrificed, especially those who were captured or have yet to come home, are remembered and honored proudly and publicly."

The bill is also endorsed by Rolling Thunder, Inc. National, the National League of POW/MIA Families, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and the National Alliance of Families for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen.

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