Pow/Mia Flag Day Soldiers People Leave Serve Make

During the Vietnam War, many American soldiers became "prisoners of war" (POWs; people who are held by the enemy and not allowed to leave during a war) or were "missing in action" (MIA; without one's location being known). The POW/MIA flag was created to honor and remember POWs and MIAs, and to remind Americans "back home" (in the United States) of the need to "determine" (identify) the "fates" (what happened to a person, or how a person died) of the men and women who serve in the military.

The POW/MIA flag is black and white. It has a "silhouette" (an outline drawing) of a man, a "watch tower" (a tall structure that guards sit in to watch what happens in a prison and make sure prisoners do not escape) and "barbed wire" (thin lines of sharp metal used to make fences that people cannot cross). "POW"MIA" is written on top, and the phrase "YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN" is written on the bottom.

The POW/MIA flag is flown on six special days: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and National POW/MIA Recognition Day. It is also flown at many "military installations" (places where members of the military work), police stations, fire stations, and similar places. In addition, military "mess halls" (cafeterias) usually leave one table and chair empty, "draped" (covered with a cloth) with the POW/MIA flag to serve as a reminder of the soldiers who are missing and "symbolize" (mean; represent) a chair waiting for their return.