Push to Fly POW Flags Over Post Offices Gathers Support

A plan to get the U.S. Postal Service to fly POW/MIA flags over post offices is picking up steam around the South Bay, where several cities have shown support for the Lomita initiative by adopting resolutions to fly the black-and-white flag at all city facilities.

Councilman Dave Albert has fought to get the Lomita post office to fly a POW-MIA flag since the city passed a policy in 1995 to fly the flag at all city facilities. The flag was not allowed to be flown at the post office because the U.S. Postal Service permits only U.S. and Postal Service flags.

Albert hopes that support from other cities that want to fly the flag may convince the postal service to change its policy. He has written city managers and mayors throughout the state to garner support and has been backed by Torrance, Lawndale, Rolling Hills Estates and Hermosa Beach, which have all adopted the resolution.

“Once I found out that someone in my city was missing in action, this became a big issue because it can’t seem to be resolved,” said Albert, 43, who did not fight in the Vietnam War. “Those who didn’t return should be honored.”