SOLEDAD — City of Soledad recently hosted its first-ever ceremony to raise the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag, in partnership with local veterans.
Located outside Soledad City Hall, the flag will remain flown throughout September to honor those who are unaccounted for.
The Aug. 30 ceremony was marked by a presentation from the Soledad Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Cadets, commanded by retired Capt. Pete Gomez.
Soledad Police Chief Damon Wasson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, praised the city’s commitment to the POW/MIA flag.
“It is great that the City of Soledad acknowledges the importance of not only raising the POW/MIA Flag, but also having a ceremony and leaving it up for the entire month of September,” Wasson said.
The morning observance was in line with a 1979 Congressional resolution designating the third Friday of September as National POW/MIA Day, a day not tied to any specific war. Army veteran Tony Virrueta emphasized the significance of the flag, saying, “It is an honor to see the POW/MIA Flag flown to let everyone know — you are not forgotten.”
Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez, who was involved in establishing the city’s flag policy, expressed her dedication to honoring unaccounted veterans.
“I am humbled to have been part of the city’s ad hoc flag policy committee establishing the observance of the POW/MIA flag at city hall and demonstrating our commitment to never forget our nation’s heroes who remain unaccounted for as prisoners of war as well as those who are still missing in action,” Velazquez said. “It is now our duty to never forget nor rest until all our unaccounted veterans are safely returned home. We hope to inspire all California cities to do the same. You are not forgotten.”
