The Colorado Springs man who designed the black and white POW/MIA flag flown everywhere from federal buildings to Harley-Davidson fenders died Thursday at his home.
Newt Heisley was 88.
“Newt wanted no hoopla. All he wants is a celebration,” said his fiancee, Donna R. Allison.
That’s what he’ll get from 1 to 4 p.m. June 14 — Flag Day — at the American Legion Post 38 in Security. The public is invited. He will be entombed at Shrine of Remembrance next to his wife of 61 years, Margaret “Bunny” Heisley, who died in 2005.
The prolific image he sketched in pencil in 1971 has the silhouette of a man under a guard tower and behind barbed wire. It’s a symbolic reminder that not every soldier returned from the war in Vietnam.
The flag flew over the White House when President Ronald Reagan marked the first POW/MIA Recognition Day. Biker groups adopted the flag, tattooing the image on their bodies, patching it on jackets and flying it from their bumpers.
Newt Heisley sported the image on his hat, lapel and license plate.
“Everyone knew it was Newt’s flag,” Allison said. “He would personally sign them for people; that’s what he would do for years.”
