A local Vietnam veteran and activist on veterans matters urged all governmental offices to raise the POW-MIA flag beneath the American Flag on Tuesday for Flag Day.
Nick Haupricht, who last year handed out 75 of the flags honoring U.S. soldiers who are prisoners of war or missing in action, said not enough public offices have regularly hoisted the flags. The flag depicts the silhouette of a bowed prisoner of war against the background of a watchtower and bears the motto "You Are Not Forgotten."
Jen Sorgenfrei, spokesman for Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, said all city facilities, including the fire department headquarters, the fire memorial park, and the Civic Center Mall, that have a POW-MIA flag will fly it today.
It must be displayed full time at certain Washington war memorials and on designated flag days at some federal offices, including post offices. A 1991 Ohio law "encourages" flying the POW-MIA flag on city halls, seats of county government, and the Statehouse in Columbus. Toledo City Council last month approved a resolution encouraging the POW-MIA flag to be displayed on all municipal properties each year on POW-MIA Flag Days.
The flag display days are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW-MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.
First Published June 14, 2011, 5:16 a.m.
