Governor Pete Ricketts signed an executive order declaring state facilities must display the POW/MIA flag beginning Sept. 17.

According to Ricketts, the POW/MIA flag must be displayed at all State Building Division (SBD) managed properties that display the flag of the United States of America.

“During my administration, the State of Nebraska has worked to become the most veteran- and military-friendly state in the nation,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Flying the POW/MIA flag at state buildings is another significant way that we can honor our brave military men and women, especially those who never returned home. With today’s executive order, we proclaim that Nebraska will never let our missing service members be forgotten.”

It's estimated that more than 80,000 American service members remain unaccounted for since World War II according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

Ricketts said the DPAA Offutt Laboratory recently played a significant role in identifying our nation’s missing heroes. In July of 2020, the remains of 28 unidentified service members from a C-17 Globemaster III were transferred from the European theater to be analyzed by the DPAA Offutt Laboratory team.

This executive order comes after a request from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Nebraska to permanently display the POW/MIA flag at SBD-managed properties.

Courtesy: Office of Governor Pete Ricketts