POW/MIA Recognition Day September 18, 2020

National POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) Recognition Day is September 21 (annually the third Friday in September) and I thought this would be a great opportunity to provide some of the history on the flag you may have seen, featuring a silhouette of an individual before a guard tower and barbed wire in white on a black field with the words “You Are Not Forgotten”. 

In 1970, Mrs. Michael Hoff, the wife of a service member who was missing in action (MIA) and a member of the National League of POW/MIA Families, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman Rivkees, Vice President of Annin & Company which had made a banner for the newest member of the United Nations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as part of their policy to provide flags of all United Nations member states. Mrs. Hoff found Mr. Rivkees very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue and together with graphic artist Newton F. Heisley, a World War II Veteran, designed the flag choosing the image of a gaunt man in profile, with a guard tower and a strand of barbed wire in the background. Heisely, a pilot, said, “I used to fly within range of the Japanese and wondered how I would hold-up if I ever got captured. When I did the design, I thought how easy it would be to forget those guys.” The slogan “You are not forgotten” came from that reflection and the flag you see today still represents our missing service members.

Following approval by the League’s Board of Directors at a meeting held January 22-23, 1972, POW/MIA flags were manufactured for distribution.  Wanting the widest possible dissemination and use of this symbol to advocate for improved treatment for and answers on American POW/MIAs, no trademark or copyright was sought.  As a result, widespread use of the League’s POW/MIA flag is not restricted legally.

In 1979, Congress proclaimed the first National POW/MIA Recognition Day to acknowledge those families’ concerns and to never forget those who gave up their freedom protecting ours.

On March 9, 1989, an official League flag – flown over the White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day 1988 – was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress.  In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony, at which League Executive Director Ann Mills-Griffiths delivered remarks representing the POW/MIA families.

The League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda where it stands as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for U.S. personnel still missing and unaccounted-for. 

In 1990, Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355 designating the POW/MIA flag as, “the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still held prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.” As of June 20, 2018, and reported by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency we still have 82,334 missing and unaccounted for from WWII forward, the most being from WWII at 72,906. We may never know what happened to all of them but we can continue to remind our citizens that their freedom comes at a very dear price.

The importance of the POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America’s unreturned veterans.  Other than “Old Glory,” the League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, displayed since 1982 in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Passage by the 105th Congress of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act required that the League’s POW/MIA flag fly six days each year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day.  It must be displayed at the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, the headquarters of the Selective Service System, major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense, all Federal cemeteries and all offices of the U.S. Postal Service.  In addition to the specific dates stipulated, the Department of Veterans Affairs voluntarily displays our POW/MIA flag 24/7.  The National Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans, and World War II Memorials are now also required by law to display the POW/MIA flag daily. 

For some time, there had been debate over when the POW/MIA flag should be flown, whether daily or on the specific six days noted in federal law. While not addressing the question of posting the flag at the national/federal level, League members at the 32nd Annual Meeting in June 2001, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the following resolution: “Be it RESOLVED that the National League of POW/MIA Families strongly recommends that state and municipal entities fly the POW/MIA flag daily to demonstrate continuing commitment to the goal of the fullest possible accounting of all personnel not yet returned to American soil.”

If you would like to learn more about the protocols on how to properly display the POW/MIA Flag of The National League of Families please e-mail your requests to veterans@morainepark.edu.

Reference

National League of Families. (n.d.). ​Protocol for the POW/MIA Flag of The National League of Families. In National League of POW/MIA Families. Retrieved July 31, 2018, from http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/protocol-for-the-powmia-flag-of-the-national-league-of-families.html

The History of the Vietnam War POW/MIA Flag. (n.d.). In US Flag. Retrieved August 2, 2018, from http://www.usflag.org/pow.mia.html

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success.  The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real world environment. 

In 2018, MPTC started a community impact awards program where students can track their service hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, or Presidents Award for 200 hours of service learning or volunteering.

This summer we have awarded our second President’s Award Winner – Brett Hebert! Brett earned the President’s Award with over 200 volunteer hours.

Brett is a recent graduate of the Criminal Justice Associate Degree program at MPTC. Besides academic success as an MPTC Promise Scholar, and working a full time job while completing his degree, Brett also served over 200 hours volunteering at Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac, where the kids are near and dear to his heart!

Upon receiving his President’s Award, Brett stated: “Education at MPTC has given me a whole new book to live my life through. I am applying now to become a police officer, my lifelong dream job!” President Bonnie Baerwald said, “Brett is an exemplary student who has created a high standard. He has a love for life and learning and making a difference in the world. We all have high hopes for his career and hope he will be a part of our community for a long time to come.”

Congratulations Brett!

Strengthening community impact is a strategic priority at MPTC.

Connecting the college and community for the goals of fostering collaboration and connectivity among business, alumni and community partners, increases the visibility of the college impact to the communities we serve.  Moraine Park students and employees are also helping fulfill community needs, sharing their time and talent, connecting and volunteering to help and improve the communities where we live, work and go to school.

Since we started tracking the volunteer and service learning hours that students and staff submitted we have now reached over 8,000 hours with an economic impact throughout the MPTC district of over $200,000. Way to go!

Find out more about student volunteering and service projects in our blog stories – listing found down the right hand side of our community impact web page.

MPTC is pleased to announce we have 2 national scholarship winners!

Jennifer Hakala, Accounting and Kristin Unser, Nursing, are two of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named across the USA, as 2020 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Leaders Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 700 applications were received.

A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.

“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

To find out more about PTK at MPTC contact Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator at alemke2@morainepark.edu or Amy Harmsen, Business Instructor at aharmsen@morainepark.edu

Join our Beta Mu Kappa facebook page today!

In the Fall of 2019, Welding Instructor Steve Henderleiter began planning a service learning project for his Spring, 2020 students. Sandy Paws, the new dog park in West Bend, needed a sign.

Four students took on the project this spring, using geometry and rigging skills, as well as the welding they learned in fall semester. When COVID caused schools to shut down from mid March until mid May, it put extra pressure on Steve and his students to meet the June 30 completion deadline on their project.

Students were committed and worked hard and fast to make it happen! They put in extra volunteer hours to get the PAWS project done, plus made sure to get all their regular assignments completed.

Steve is super proud of his students! “Many students don’t get real world experience on their resume. Having this service project helps out their community, and gives them the hands on experience they need, prior to graduation. Now they will be able to find a job and handle issues that come up in welding project situations.” Associate Dean of Manufacturing Marcia Arndt stated, “So proud of the work that these students have accomplished under the constraints of limited classroom time.  Steve as always you have done amazing work with giving these students real world experience and pride in helping the community. “

Steve himself is a dog lover. Sadly, his own dog passed away during the project before the sign was complete. Students added her name and birthday onto the sign in special memory.

For more information on MPTC welding programs

Ever wonder how something made from plants could look and taste so good? There is a well hidden treasure in Hartford, Wisconsin called Plantonic Cafe that can make you eat your veggies and enjoy while doing it.  Tanya Fransen, creator and owner of Plantonic Cafe was a student of the business series “Starting Your Own Business” taught by business instructor Jeff Stueber and made her dream a reality.  Years of allergies and declining health forced Tanya to find naturopathic healing which fueled an already conscious woman on a mission in the kitchen and now she is here to spoil her customers with her delicious smoothie bowls, juices, soups and desserts  while only using whole foods, spices and super foods that will help support the body. Her “made from scratch” menu offers something to please everyone. 

Tanya joins the ranks of another MPTC student who has made an impact in their local community. For more information about the business series, please contact Laurie Barz at lbarz@morainepark.edu or Jeff Stueber at jstueber1@morainepark.edu

Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success.  The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real world environment. 

MPTC encourages students to participate in our community impact awards program where students can track their service learning or volunteer hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours, Gold Award for 100 hours, or Presidents Award for 200 hours!

In the 2020 spring semester, 24 students earned awards and logged over 1,000 hours of service!

Congratulations to our Spring, 2020 award winners!

Bronze Award Winners

Completing 25-49 hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Ashley Ade, Medical Assistant
• Breanna Alioto, Medical Assistant
• Erica Boehnlein, Medical Assistant
• Alexis Darkow, Medical Assistant
• Kendra DeJager, Medical Assistant
• Molly Donais, Medical Assistant
• Taylor Erlauer, Medical Assistant
• Kayleigh Gorman, Medical Assistant
• Cortland Henning, Culinary Arts*
• Ashlee Keller, Medical Assistant
• Cheyenne Kohrt, Medical Assistant
• Cathryn Kuslits, Medical Assistant*
• Abby Muenchow, Medical Assistant
• Megan Neu, Medical Assistant
• Nora Nuhiji, Medical Assistant
• Caitlin Pieper, Medical Assistant
• Gina Roll, Medical Assistant
• Samantha Schubring, Medical Assistant    
• Jordan Sterns, Medical Assistant
• Bethany Thome, Graphics*
• Meghan Thompson, Medical Assistant
• Emma Zimmerman, Medical Office 

Silver Award Winners

Completing 50-99 hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Meghan Griswold, Marketing & Social Media*
• Cortland Henning, Culinary Arts*
• Ashlee Keller, Medical Assistant
• Jordan Sterns, Medical Assistant

Gold Award Winner

Completing 100-199 hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Cortland Henning, Culinary Arts*

President’s Award Winner

Completing 200+ hours of service learning or volunteering.

• Brett Hebert, Criminal Justice*

*Promise Scholar students

Moraine Park Technical College staff gathered on June 15 in small socially distant groups to assemble commencement boxes for the College’s 2020 graduates.

Earlier this year, Moraine Park announced the cancellation of their annual commencement ceremony and detailed the celebration from a distance, which included keepsake packages.

The packages include a cap and tassel, a commemorative commencement program, a diploma holder, Moraine Park memorabilia, and the opportunity to participate in MPTC’s virtual celebration.

Students can expect to receive their diplomas in the mail later this summer after all grades have been submitted, and the Registrar’s Office has done final degree audits/checks.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Moraine Park will be hosting College & Coffee, a virtual information session for individuals interested in continuing their education.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about programs, admissions, student life, financial aid, student resources, transfer information and more. This is your opportunity to explore what MPTC offers, and by doing so, a FREE application will be offered.

• Thursday, June 18th  – Noon
• Wednesday, July 8th – 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 28th – 5:00 p.m.

*This event will take place online- a Zoom link will be emailed after registration is completed.

For more information or to register, visit morainepark.edu/coffee-college.