City officials, American Legion honor prisoners of war and missing service members with morning ceremony

The City of Palm Springs is flying the POW/MIA flag at its buildings today following a ceremony Friday morning at City Hall to honor American prisoners of war and service members who remain missing in action, with families and loved ones still waiting for answers.

The sunrise ceremony marked National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which falls on the third Friday of September each year. Mayor Ron deHarte, City Council members, veterans and community members gathered at daybreak for a tribute that carried deep personal meaning for many attendees.

“Let this flag serve as a quiet but unwavering reminder that America does not forget,” deHarte said during the ceremony. “As long as it flies above our city, we declare together, you are not forgotten. Your sacrifice matters, and your legacy lives on in the heart of every citizen who calls this nation home.”

The ceremony came after the council unanimously approved a new flag ordinance on June 26 that allows the POW/MIA flag to be displayed at all city buildings on designated holidays. The policy change was advocated for by Navy veteran Amado Salinas — who serves as the chair of the California American Legion National Security & Foreign Relations Committee — who approached deHarte at a Palm Springs High School event in May with a simple but powerful request — raise the POW-MIA flag at City Hall.

“It’s all because of Amado’s tenacity that city council recently approved changing the flag ordinance,” deHarte said.

Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez of Indio, who served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and is the only veteran in the California State Legislature, brought personal experience to his remarks about remembrance and loss.

“This day is one of those days where I remember those I’ve served with, but most importantly, I want to be able to honor those who never came home,” Gonzalez said.

The ceremony’s most moving moment came when Marine veteran and American Legion Post Commander John Picken directed attention to a small table set with symbolic items representing missing service members and their families’ enduring hope.

“We’d like to call your attention to this small table,” Picken said. “It is set for one symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families.”

Picken explained each element’s meaning: “The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppression. The single rose signifies the blood they may have shed and sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith while awaiting their return.”

He continued describing the painful symbolism: “A slice of lemon on a plate reminds us of their bitter fate. A salt sprinkle on a plate reminds us of the countless tears of families as they wait. The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time. The chair is empty. They are not here.”

City Councilmember Grace Garner, whose parents are both Marines, connected the ceremony to her family’s military legacy and her commitment to public service.

“My parents are both Marines and raised to have the utmost respect for the military and for service to your country,” Garner said. “So while I didn’t end up serving in the military, I always knew that it was important to serve my community.”

The flag will remain at half-staff through the rest of Friday, a visible reminder of those still unaccounted for deHarte said, as he concluded the program with a call for continued remembrance beyond the ceremony itself.

“May we continue to honor them, not just in ceremony but in action, in memory and in gratitude,” deHarte said.

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