Why Fly
the
"POW-MIA" Flag?
On February 4, 2004, the following article appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times. No doubt, the author will be slammed by messages from the "activists." Too bad -- he said exactly what needs to be said. Men and women who were prisoners of war or who are "missing in action" served under the American flag. And that's what should be used to honor them, not some stark black-and-white banner that does nothing to honor their sacrifice.
QUOTE
We're obsessed with flags that have lost meaning
February 4, 2004
BY SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
Opening shot
When can we get rid of those black POW/MIA flags that have been flying under the American flag for the past 30 years? Or are we stuck with them forever? I'm all for honoring vets, but the black flag has always had negative overtones, having originated in Rambo paranoia centered around the belief that American prisoners were still in Vietnam years after the war ended and the government was for some reason concealing the fact. The flags, in addition to honoring sacrifice, also suggest, unfairly, something shameful about the country, or at least they did. Now vets say they are just a generic tribute to all the prisoners of war and missing in action. Perhaps. But there are better ways to honor U.S. service personnel. The flags will probably disappear one by one, as those who care passionately about them move on. A good thing, too.
END QUOTE
The original article is here: http://www.suntimes.com/output/steinberg/cst-nws-stein04.html
When I first established the MIA Facts Site, I published a similar article -- read it here.
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