News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

September 20, 2002

Jane Harman and George Nakano Recognize POW/MIA Veterans - Present Commemorative Flag to Torrance Post Office

“As our nation considers military action in Iraq, we must always remember those in our military who served in prior wars and never came home.”

TORRANCE - Rep. Harman and State Assemblyman George Nakano today presented a commemorative POW/MIA flag to interim Postmaster Terry Savault at the Torrance Main Post Office, 2510 Monterey Street. Leaders of South Bay veterans’ organizations attended and assisted in raising the flag.

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day -- Congress has set aside the third Friday of September in each year to remember those who never came home. Congress has further recognized the POW/MIA flag of the National League of Families as the official flag to represent America’s missing soldiers.

The importance of the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America’s POW/MIAs. Other than “Old Glory,” the League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, having been displayed in this place of honor on every National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982.

“I am honored to be here with my friend George Nakano to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who fought for our country and never returned,” stated Harman. “As our nation considers military action in Iraq, we must always remember those in our military who served in prior wars and never came home,” she added.

In 1997, Harman introduced HR 1161, to mandate the display of the POW/MIA flag at federal facilities on federal holidays. She credits Former Lomita Mayor Dave Albert with the idea and support from veterans’ groups in the South Bay for the bill’s enactment as part of the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act.

The POW/MIA flag flies each year on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day. It flies on the grounds or in the public lobbies of major military installations as designated by the Secretary of the Defense, all Federal national cemeteries, the national Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the White House, the United States Postal Service post offices and at the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veteran’s Affairs, and Director of the Selective Service System.

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