May 8, 2015
SAINT PAUL, MN – This morning [May 8, 2015] officials from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs gathered with military and elected officials for the first raising of the POW/MIA flag at the Capitol Veterans Memorial Garden in St. Paul. The flag was placed there at the request of State Rep. John Persell (DFL – Bemidji)
“It didn’t seem right that there was no flag commemorating our military service members who never came home in the memorial garden,” said Rep. Persell (DFL—Bemidji). “There is a POW/MIA flag on the North side of the Capitol building, but it can’t be seen from the Veterans Memorial Garden. Now when Minnesotans come here to pay their respects and remember, there is a flag they can see.”
Rep. Persell had considered offering legislation to force the Department of Administration to raise a flag at the garden, but that wasn’t necessary.
“In the end, I found support for this effort, particularly from Commissioner Shellito and Lt. Governor Smith, and Commissioner Massman” said Rep. Persell. “Folks in the administration understood why it was important and necessary to get the flag up.”
Rep. Persell encourages community members to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by email at rep.john.persell@house.mn or phone at 651-296-5516.
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Attached Photo: Rep. John Persell joins other military service members, veterans, and elected officials as the POW/MIA flag is raised in the Veterans Memorial Garden on the Capitol Mall in St. Paul.
