A bill requiring the POW/MIA flag to fly on six national holidays passes the Utah House committee
In Salt Lake City, a bill unanimously passed that requires the POW/MIA flag to fly above the state capital building along with the American flag on six national holidays. The flag honors prisoners of war and soldiers missing in actions. Rep. John Westwood said, “Forty-eight Utah men and women are currently missing in action. We need to recognize these people.”
Originally, the bill required all government building in Utah to fly the POW/MIA flag on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and National POW/MIA Recognition Day. However, a substitute bill that eventually passed the House calls for only four locations at the Capitol to fly the POW/MIA flag below the American flag and Utah flag on the six holidays.
Other citizens from the state also voiced their support for the bill. Joe Call had all three of his sons serve in Iraq, his brother served in Vietnam, as well as his father who served in World War II. He believes, “Too many times the POWs are forgotten and I think this would be a great way to acknowledge these people.”
House representatives are hoping this will encourage more people around the state to voluntarily fly the POW/MIA flag. The next step for the bill is to go before the full House for consideration.
Credit: Deseret News
