Impression | A Flag for American Hostages

1 uncomplicated, nevertheless potent, way to even further galvanize the public and our leaders into motion? An official flag.

With an Act of Congress, a new banner could be flown below the Stars and Stripes on governing administration properties — from write-up offices all through the nation to embassies all over the world. The flag would serve as a countrywide assure to the families of hostages and wrongfully detained Individuals that the United States is performing anything in its power to get them back again. It also would unfold recognition of the countrywide unexpected emergency this issue has speedily become, hopefully top to more pressure on the governing administration to act — and produce — on that promise.

Just after a prolonged design method, the families of latest and former hostages and the companies that assist them have assisted build these a flag.

There are 5 key features to the flag. Initially, the flag’s title, “Hostages and Wrongful Detainees,” which complies with the regarded language of The Levinson Act. Next, the counting-times image, which emphasizes the central attribute of their wrestle: Every single working day that passes is another day that hostage families are robbed of remaining full. Third, 3 human profiles, which symbolize the hostage’s personal combat and demonstrates our nation’s range. Fourth, the motto “Bring Them House,” which is a get in touch with to motion. Fifth, the flag’s yellow and black hues, which hearken to the tradition of making use of yellow ribbons to keep in mind our captives and the darkness of their cells, dungeons and caves.

There is a strong precedent for the hostage families’ hard work. In 1970, a team of families of Prisoners of War (POWs) and individuals Missing in Action (MIAs) fought to deliver consciousness to their cherished ones’ struggling by generating the Countrywide League of People POW/MIA flag, as the “symbol of our Nation’s concern and motivation to resolving as fully as doable the fates of Us citizens even now prisoner, missing, and unaccounted for. ...”

The POW/MIA flag is flown above the White Household, in Congress and all fashion of federal buildings. Observing this flag reminds just about every American of the constant battle of these families to carry their beloved kinds property and of our gratitude to their sacrifice. The flag also was a strong element in the press to provide house all American POWs at the close of the Vietnam War.

Nowadays, in accordance to the James W. Foley Legacy Basis, there are at minimum 67 People wrongfully held abroad. They are captive due to the fact of the perception that American citizens can be swapped for imprisoned comrades, ransomed to finance malign activities or utilised to leverage United States officers to adjust governing administration policy. But whatever the explanation, it indicates 67 family members have experienced their lives suspended. They are in anguish and soreness as they ponder the ailment of their cherished types each working day.

Washington has these days gotten considerably additional serious in tackling this disaster. President Barack Obama proven the Specific Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs office environment in 2015. President Donald Trump signed the Levinson Act into regulation in 2020. Just a few weeks ago, President Joe Biden issued an government purchase aimed at blocking the using of far more Americans. Bringing our hostages and wrongful detainees house is a nonpartisan nationwide precedence. But far more can be completed.

It would be suitable in the exact same legislation to declare a Nationwide Day of Recognition for Hostage Getting and Wrongful Detention.

Staying taken hostage simply because we are American can occur to any of us, and, regrettably, it is happening also frequently all over the globe. Like our beloved POWs and MIAs, the hostages and wrongful detainees deserve an formal flag to remind the American persons that they are getting robbed of their independence entirely because they carry a blue passport emblazoned with our nation’s seal. Enable us clearly show our motivation to our fellow citizens in these dire circumstances and make very clear that bringing our American captives house is a national precedence.