OFFICIAL STATE POW/MIA MONUMENT

Sponsor: Rep. Chris Ward

Committee: Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

First Analysis (5-27-04)

BRIEF SUMMARY: The bill would designate an official state POW/MIA monument.

FISCAL IMPACT: There is no information at present.

THE APPARENT PROBLEM:

Aside from the Freedom Tree on the southeast corner on the lawn of the state capitol, the State of Michigan does not have a significant memorial honoring and remembering the Michigan men and women who are prisoners of war/missing in action. It has been suggested that a POW/MIA memorial in Brighton be designated as the state monument to prisoners of war/missing in action.

THE CONTENT OF THE BILL:

The bill would create a new act to designate the monument to prisoners of war and veterans missing in action located at the American Spirit Centre, home of the Brighton VFW Post 4357, as the official state POW/MIA memorial.

ARGUMENTS:

For:

The dedication of an official state POW/MIA memorial serves to honor and remember the men and women of the armed forces who bravely served the country and endured a great deal of hardship. While other war memorials may also recognize those who were prisoners of war/missing in action, a specific POW/MIA memorial recognizes the unique and tragic story of these veterans.

Response:

While not taking anything away from the memorial in Brighton, there are other, equally deserving, POW/MIA memorials in other places throughout the state. In addition, there is some concern that the state’s official POW/MIA memorial is not in Lansing.

POSITIONS:

The Department of Michigan, Veterans of Foreign Wars supports the bill. (5-25-04)

The Brighton VFW Post 4357 supports the bill. (5-25-04)

Legislative Analyst: Mark Wolf

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.