Salt Lake City

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Mayor Biskupski, 76th Division of the U.S. Army Reserve, and family members of missing military personnel to participate in POW/MIA flag raising at Salt Lake City and County Building

In recognition of National POW/MIA Day on Friday, September 16th, Mayor Jackie Biskupski will welcome surviving family members of two missing servicemen from Utah, as well as members of the 76th U.S. Army Reserve Operational Response Command (ORC) to a special POW/MIA flag-raising ceremony at the Salt Lake City and County Building.

The Fort Douglas-based ORC will raise the flag in ceremonial fashion following remarks from Mayor Biskupski; Colonel Doug Cherry, Chief of Staff of the 76th Division ORC; and surviving relatives of Pfc Thomas Montoya, who went missing in action during the Korean War; and Technical Sergeant William N. Andrews, who was captured and executed by the Japanese in World War II and whose remains have never been returned.

Both men entered their military service in Salt Lake City.

Carlos Jimenez, a nephew of Pfc. Montoya, and Ruby Nelson, a niece of Sergeant Andrews, will attend in memory of their relatives.

“I’m deeply honored to take part in this solemn recognition of our missing military personnel who have yet to return home,” Mayor Biskupski said. “As the decades pass, and foreign wars are resolved, we must not forget the families in our community who never had the comfort of a final resolution. I hope this acknowledgment, small as it is, helps show that Salt Lake City fully respects and supports these brave servicemen and their families for their incredible sacrifices.”

The black and white POW/MIA flag was first manufactured and promoted in the early ‘70s. Through a series of congressional actions, the flag has since been authorized to fly with the U.S. flag over the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and other federal buildings. The flag flies over many public buildings throughout the country on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, as well as National POW/MIA Day on September 16th each year.

What: POW/MIA flag-raising ceremony

When: Friday, September 16th, 8 a.m.

Where: East entrance, Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street

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