POW-MIA - Allerton
The POW-MIA mural recognizes the sacrifices of America’s prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Location: north side of the Carla Hackney building, 105 S Central Ave, Allerton, IA 50008
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POW-MIA
This mural is near and dear to many people in our community: a new version of the POW-MIA mural that was painted in Allerton during the first Walldogs event in 1993.
This mural honors the many American soldiers who were held as prisoners of war or were missing in action and never returned. Both the 2023 mural and the 1993 mural featured the POW-MIA flag with a motorcycle rider.
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the idea for a POW-MIA flag was conceived in 1971 by Mrs. Michael Hoff, whose husband was a US military officer listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War. The flag’s image was designed by Newt Heisley, a former World War II pilot.
The first National POW-MIA Recognition Day was proclaimed in 1979, acknowledging the more than 2,500 servicemembers listed as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action during the Vietnam War. The POW-MIA flag was officially recognized by Congress in 1990, and is flown at the US Capitol, the White House, national war memorials, national cemeteries, major military installations, and other government and military sites.
We deeply appreciate the Walldogs for bringing this mural back to Allerton. We continue to honor the memory of our missing and fallen troops, and we are grateful for the service of all veterans in Wayne County and beyond.
This mural is painted on the Healing Escape building, owned by Carla Hackney. When the mural was first painted here in 1993, the building was owned by Lloyd Housley, who was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
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about the art
This mural was painted during the Walldog Mural Festival in Wayne County, Iowa, from August 30 - September 3, 2023.
The lead designer was Glenn Avery from Rockford, IL. Glenn was an original Walldog, and he designed the original POW-MIA mural in 1993.
FAQs
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The Walldogs are an international group of muralists and sign-painters who volunteer their time to create community art. They have painted throughout the US and around the world.
The Walldog movement started in Allerton, Iowa, in 1993. Local artist Nancy Bennett invited dozens of signpainters to Allerton to paint murals in Allerton’s downtown, and the local community opened their homes to host these artists. Since that first gathering, the Walldog movement has grown tremendously.
The Walldogs celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2023 by returning to Wayne County, Iowa. They have meets planned for the next several years to continue this community art tradition. You can learn more at thewalldogs.org.
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In 2023, the Walldogs painted 16 murals. They also painted new signage at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
These murals included 12 new designs, as well as 4 restorations of the original 1993 Walldog murals in Allerton.
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We recommend starting at Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon, Iowa. The “Come, Come Ye Saints” mural recognizes the passage of the Mormon Trail through Wayne County.
From there, you can drive in an approximate circle to Promise City, Seymour, Allerton, Clio, Lineville, Humeston, and Millerton, before returning to Corydon to see the rest of the murals there.
Alternatively, you can start at any mural that works for your route.
The entire route takes approximately 2 hours to drive.
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Check our main FAQ page for more details and contact info.
Next stop
Cross Central Avenue to the west and walk one block north to see the Allerton Chautauqua mural.
Allerton hosted many famous speakers and entertainers in the early 1900s, and this mural commemorates Allerton’s Chautauqua heritage.
You can find the Allerton Chautauqua mural above Allerton City Hall: 120 N Central Ave, Allerton, IA 50008.
For the full list of murals and locations, visit this page or download the map.