Ohio House Passes Legislation Expanding Use of POW/MIA Flag

The Ohio House today voted in favor of the “POW/MIA Remembrance Act” which would expand the use of the POW/MIA military flag at certain state buildings. The legislation would require that the flag, used to honor military individuals who are prisoners of war or missing in action, be flown at state operated buildings on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans’ Day.

“We owe our freedom and the survival of this American Experiment to the sacrifice of these individuals,” said State Representative Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster), who sponsored the legislation. “This legislation is a small act to recognize these individuals’ service to our great nation.”

Wiggam was approached with the idea to introduce the legislation by a constituent and resident of Wayne County. The constituent wanted to encourage more recognition throughout the state for servicemen and women who served in the armed forces but never made it home.

Current federal law already requires federal buildings, such as the U.S. Post Office, to fly the POW/MIA flag on the six days listed above.

The “POW/MIA Remembrance Act,” also known as House Bill 254, passed with a unanimous vote and now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.