POW-MIA flags bears a BLACK BACKGROUND, GUARD TOWER AND BARBED WIRE WITH A PROFILE OF A MAN WITH HIS HEAD FACING DOWNWARD.Designed for the League of POW_MIA families, this symbol was designated as a symbol of remembrance by title 36 of the US Code. It has become quite popular in the US, especially among veterans groups.
In 1971, Mrs.Mary Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. Prompted by an article in the Jacksonville, Florida TIMES-UNION, Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman Rivkees, Vice-President of Annin & Company which had made a banner for the newest member of the United Nations, the People's Republic of China, as a part of their policy to provide flags to all UN member nations. Mrs. Hoff found Mr. Rivkees very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue, and he, along with Annin's advertising agency, designed a flag to represent our missing men. Following approval, the flags were manufactured for distribution.
The flag is black, bearing in the center, in black and white, the emblem of the League. The emblem is a white disk bearing in black silhouette the bust of a man, watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire; above the disk are the white letters POW and MIA framing a white 5-pointed star; below the disk is a black and white wreath above the white motto YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
Stick flags have long been popular for waving at parades and other similar gatherings. They have also been used in formal applications including use at tables to identify participants. In the 20th Century they have also become popular for souvenir, and novelty use. Besides current international flags, and internal political subdivisions the reproduction of note-worthy historical flags has also become popular, especially at museums and historic sites.
Generally available in sizes close to 8x12 and 12x18 these flags were generally printed on a variety of materials including gauze, silk and cotton. During the American Revolution Bicentennial large quantities of these flags began to be imported from offshore, mostly the orient. Now lightweight polyester stick flags are a staple in this type of flags. Plastic sheeting which does not have to be cut and sewn, only sliced on automatic machines have also become quite popular for the low end stick flag market.
Originally mounted on to wooden dowels with wooden tops, they may now be found with plastic tops and staffs as well.
ZFC Collectible Flag
