The POW * MIA black flag is an American flag, designed as a symbol of citizens concerns about U.S. Military personnel taken prisoner of war, or listed as missing in action.  It was officially recognized in Congress in connection with the Vietnam war, the flag began as a symbol in 1971.

 In March of 1989, the POW*MIA flag that had been flown over the White House, was installed in the U.S Capital building Rotunda. The flag is the only flag ever displayed in the rotundra, and the only other flag other than the Flag of the United States, to have flown over the White House.

 This flag is flown each year on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independance Day, Veterans Day, and POW*MIA remembrance day, which is September 18th, this year. It is honor'd on the third friday of September, each year.

 The Veterans of Foreign War's and its auxiliaries honor the Killed in Action, Prisoners of War and Missing in Action soldiers every year with a program of some type to remember our war hero's who have not come home.  Our country celebrated the return of remains for Staff Sgt. Keith Maupin who came home to Ohio in 2008, recently in August of 2009, the remains of Lt. Commander Michael Scott Speicher were found and returned to his home.   

 There are still military men and women who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam war, as well as all the other war's this country has been involved in.  Remember and Pray for them and their families.

Judy Reeser,  Minonk VFW auxiliary