A RESOLUTION urging Congress to require the Department of Defense to reinstate the terminology of “POW” or “Prisoner of War” into the classification of military personnel.

NH 2006 Resolution

CHAPTER 67

SJR 4 – FINAL VERSION

2006 SESSION

06-2022

09/04

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 4

A RESOLUTION urging Congress to require the Department of Defense to reinstate the terminology of “POW” or “Prisoner of War” into the classification of military personnel.

SPONSORS: Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Johnson, Dist 2; Sen. Letourneau, Dist 19; Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Rep. Emerson, Ches 7

COMMITTEE: Public and Municipal Affairs

ANALYSIS

This senate joint resolution urges Congress to require the Department of Defense to reinstate the terminology of “POW” or “Prisoner of War” into the classification of military personnel.

06-2022

09/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

A RESOLUTION urging Congress to require the Department of Defense to reinstate the terminology of “POW” or “Prisoner of War” into the classification of military personnel.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

Whereas, for many years in the past the Department of Defense used the terminology of “Prisoner of War” to describe a military personnel’s casualty status and category for reporting purposes; and

Whereas, the Department of Defense’s current verbiage of “Missing/Captured” dramatically reduces the impact of reports and alters the responses from national and international organizations which have historically interceded in such cases; and

Whereas, the nature of war has changed markedly and permanently and rather than change accordingly to provide maximum protection of all we send in harm’s way, our government has established requirements that are too specific to be workable, too vague to be applicable, or too confusing to achieve understanding; and

Whereas, the protection which should be automatically accorded those in harm’s way is seriously eroded with the “Missing/Captured” classification; and

Whereas, American service men and women are not disposable items and their security and well-being are more significant than the concerns, goals, sensitivities, and idiosyncrasies of our enemies, or of any other nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

That the state of New Hampshire calls upon Congress to require the Department of Defense to reinstate “Prisoner of War” into the casualty status and category classification of military personnel; and

That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the senate clerk to each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.

Approved: April 25, 2006

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2006/sjr0004.html

Hesky Park ~ The State's Original POW/MA Memorial

Gov. Lynch, Executive Council Act to Recognize Hesky Park in Meredith as the
State’s Original POW/MIA Memorial

June 4, 2008 ~ PRESS RELEASE

CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council today voted unanimously to pass a resolution accepting the Hesky Park POW/MIA stone and flagpole as a gift from the Town of Meredith and recognizing it as New Hampshire’s original POW/MIA memorial. “I believe strongly we must do everything to honor the service of the many brave New Hampshire men and women who have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice, for our freedoms. We must never forget those who have served as prisoners of war, and those who are still missing in action,” Gov. Lynch said.

“For the past 20 years, the people of Meredith have gathered every Thursday to draw attention to the plight and sacrifice of POWs/MIAs,” Gov. Lynch said. “That is why we are proud to recognize the Hesky Park Memorial as New Hampshire’s original POW/MIA memorial.”

NH POW Flag

AN ACT relative to the display of the POW-MIA flag.

1 Display of POW-MIA Flag. Amend RSA 3:3-a to read as follows:

3:3-a Display of POW-MIA Flag. The POW-MIA flag shall be displayed above the state house in Concord, all state facilities, and national guard armories and other state-owned military facilities whenever the flag of the United States is flown until all questions concerning the fate of America’s POWs and MIAs are sufficiently resolved.

On July 17, 2007 , Gov. Lynch signed into
Legislation SB 27

Never Forget

One of worst tragedies of war is that some soldiers simply become "missing." Their loved ones both mourn and hope. the years drag on, and the long wait for answers can become unbearable. What could be worse than the emotional turmoil of "not knowing?"