Newcastle proposes policy to permanently fly POW MIA flag in honor of veterans

The City of Newcastle Council meeting on March 5, 2025, featured a significant discussion regarding the POW/MIA flag that is flown at City Hall. The conversation was initiated by a council member who is also a veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He highlighted the importance of honoring the over 80,000 missing in action service members since World War II through the display of the POW/MIA flag.

Under state law, the flag is required to be flown ten times a year, and the council member, who has the key to the flagpole, currently raises it. He proposed a resolution to extend the flag's display to ten consecutive days each time it is raised, suggesting this as a meaningful way to honor veterans in the absence of a dedicated Veterans Memorial in Newcastle.

The council member emphasized that this initiative would not incur any costs or require additional staff time, as the flag is already raised periodically throughout the year. He expressed that flying the flag continuously for ten days would serve as a tribute to all veterans and their sacrifices, reinforcing the freedoms enjoyed by the community.

The proposal aims to formally recognize Newcastle's commitment to honoring veterans, with the council member advocating for the resolution to be created to solidify this practice. The discussion underscored the community's respect for those who have served and the importance of remembering those who have not returned home.

The meeting concluded with a call for further consideration of the resolution, highlighting the council's ongoing commitment to honoring veterans and their contributions to the nation.