Vietnam Veteran Proposes MIA Flags for All County Offices

Vietnam veteran Bob Kakuk hopes to take over the county, flagpole by flagpole.

Almost one year ago, the Huntington Beach resident proposed that county government fly the flag for possible prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Last month, after working with Supervisor Jim Silva, Kakuk was rewarded when the POW/MIA flag was raised outside the county Hall of Administration in downtown Santa Ana. The flag, placed below the U.S. flag, will fly year-round.

Now, Kakuk is hoping to fly the flag emblazoned with POW/MIA at every county facility and is searching for people or organizations to donate flags. Kakuk said they cost about $50.

He also has worked to have the flag fly year-round in more than half a dozen cities in the county.

“I want public awareness,” Kakuk said. “If you have enough flags, people will ask questions.”

Kakuk contends the federal government has not done enough to pursue reports of prisoners of war and men missing in action from the Vietnam War, Korean War and as far back as World War II.

The Department of Defense has said there is no credible evidence of POWs from Vietnam, Korea or World War II but that the U.S. government continues to track down any leads.

The black flag with white lettering solicited by Kakuk shows a man’s silhouette flanked by a guard tower and barbed wire. It reads: “You are not forgotten.”

“It’s a lot more work than I thought when I started it,” said Kakuk, 51, a retired landscaper. But he added, “I didn’t want to just leave it. I want to finish this thing.”

Those wishing to donate flags can call Kakuk, founder of Vietnam Veterans of Orange County, at (714) 968-9591.