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Boyertown Area School District to fly POW/MIA flag at all district buildings after board vote
Summary
The school board approved districtwide display of the POW/MIA flag beginning the morning after the meeting and directed an amendment to district policy 807 to reflect the change.
The Boyertown Area School District Board voted April 22 to begin flying the POW/MIA flag at all district buildings and to begin the policy amendment process for district policy 807 to authorize the display.
The recommendation followed a presentation from members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 131 and state Representative David Maloney, who said Pennsylvania law already requires the POW/MIA flag on state properties where the U.S. flag is flown. The board approved the display and administration scheduled a brief flag-raising ceremony at the high school for the following morning.
Why it matters: The board's action formalizes a community request to display a symbol many residents and veterans view as a public recognition of service members still missing from past conflicts. Representatives from the veterans chapter asked the board to fly the black-and-white POW/MIA flag below the U.S. flag at each district building; Rep. Maloney offered to supply flags for the schools.
Details from the presentation: The presenter said the POW/MIA flag was designed in 1971 and is displayed at federal buildings and post offices; Pennsylvania law requires the POW/MIA flag be flown on state properties where the U.S. flag is flown. Presenters identified names of service members from the Boyertown area listed as missing in action from Vietnam and supplied historical background on the flag's origin.
Outcome and next steps: The board voted to approve immediate display; administration said the first flag-raising would begin at Boyertown Area Senior High School at roughly 7:45 a.m. the next morning and that other buildings would be rigged and have flags installed within days.
Ending: The decision followed public and board comment recognizing veterans and framed the display as a low-cost, symbolic step the district will implement promptly.
