Elks raise POW/MIA Flag at local lodge
The North Fort Myers Elk Lodge #2742 recently held a ceremony to raise a new POW/MIA flag.
The key speaker was Jim Oyster, a member of the lodge, and a Vietnam veteran who has published a book from a diary he kept during his service – “Moving Trees: The Diary of a Khe Sanh Marine.”
Oyster gave a talk on the history and facts of the special flag. It is the only other flag besides The Stars and Stripes that has flown over the White House. It calls to mind the sacrifice and plight of Americans who have given up their freedom to preserve liberty for all of us. Its presence reminds us that while we enjoy the privileges of freedom somewhere there are soldiers that have not been accounted for and many in fact have been held against their will.
“It is easy for us to remember those who have died for our country,” he said, those killed in action with the rows of headstones in cemeteries like Arlington, or at get-togethers when the scars of war wounds and missing limbs reminds of those who fought for freedom.
“Sadly we can’t say the same for for those who have not yet come home, the Missing in Action and Prisoners of War.”
Of the design, he said, Newton Foust “Newt” Heisley, a pilot during WWII, was given the task of developing a design for the special flag at a New York advertising agency. He took it as a personal challenge, Oyster said.
Using an image of Heisley’s son, who was training as a Marine combat pilot when he became severely ill, the ad man used a drawing of barbed wire, a tower and a gaunt young man in the initial proposal.
Color was later to be added, but the black and white version is the most commonly used version. Beneath the images are the words “You Are Not Forgotten,” let us not forget.
Elk’s Trustees and Veterans Committee members, including Dick Wood and Larry Carie, removed and replaced The American and POW/MIA Flags while other Lodge Officers and members saluted.
Oyster’s book based on his own service experiences can be purchased online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com
Exalted Ruler of the lodge Judy Hanson said a membership drive is still on-going. “What we offer is a one-on-one social aspect with the ability to promote charity work. we are still looking for new members. as we said before the elks is the best kept secret around – we do so much for so many.”
To be a member, you need to be over 21, an American citizen, and believe in God, she said. You also should be sponsored by an Elk member, but many will sponsor new members.
The North Fort Myers Elks Lodge is located at 2163 Twin Brooks Rd. in North Fort Myers, a small side street just northeast of River Bend Golf Club on Bayshore Road.
For information call 731-2867.