Posted: | June 14, 2017 11:10 AM |
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From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | POW-MIA flag display on state properties |
I will shortly re-introduce SB 1157 from the 2015-2016 session to commemorate American military who went missing in action or endured enemy captivity, by having the POW-MIA flag displayed on state government properties. The familiar POW-MIA flag, initially a response to concerns of service members being held prisoner after the Vietnam war, today calls attention to the broader reality that American military involvement around the world in the last century has left many tens of thousands of American families, including more than 1,100 from Pennsylvania, without even the sparse comfort of a resting spot to mark a loved one's fidelity and sacrifice. Many thousands more service members from earlier conflicts are unaccounted for, and the deprivations and death in captivity endured by hundreds of thousands are often forgotten. My legislation would require that whenever the American and state flags are flown on property owned or under the control of the state, the POW-MIA flag must be flown alongside them when it can reasonably be done. Similar legislation has been enacted or is being considered in a number of other states. I hope you will consider joining this effort to help Pennsylvanians recall the overlooked and forgotten sacrifices by these troops and their families. |
Introduced as SB822