“My legislation will ensure that the flags of all the territories and D.C. will be displayed whenever all state flags are also displayed by the armed forces,” he said.
According to Kilili, “This will correct a longstanding oversight in the display of the Northern Marianas flag at military installations and give our CNMI military personnel the recognition they deserve.”
He added, “Through repeated efforts over the last two years I was able to get the assurance of the secretary of the Army that the NMI flag would be flown at Army installations whenever the flags of the states are on display. However, policies of the Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy all authorize local commanders the discretion to display state flags with or without the flags of the territories on their installations.”
Kilili believes “it should not be at the discretion of these commanders to decide to exclude any part of the United States or the fighting men and women from any part of the United States from recognition. It is a point of pride for all brave men and women in uniform to see their home flag. Yet, the flags of D.C. and the territories are often missing from the flag displays at military installations during welcome-back ceremonies, deployment ceremonies and graduations. That flag confirms that they and their contributions are recognized and appreciated, and demonstrates that D.C. and the territories are truly a part of this great nation. This bill ensures that recognition.”
The National Defense Authorization Act is scheduled to be considered on the House floor this week. Once approved, the bill must also head to the Senate before being signed into law by President Obama.
