Describes an annual event sponsored by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) to draw attention to violent child deaths. Children’s Memorial Flag Day, launched in 1998, is a public awareness campaign to reduce child mortality and abuse. The Children’s Memorial Flag depicts blue paper-doll figures holding hands against a red background, with a white chalk outline of a missing child in the center, and it is flown in remembrance of the thousands of children who are killed by violence each year. Governors, mayors, directors of social service agencies and hospitals, police chiefs, and others have endorsed the Children’s Memorial Flag. The annual event is marked around the country by flying the symbolic flag in addition to proclamations and events to memorialize children. The CWLA Web page also provides: (1) information about how to purchase a flag or contact CWLA; (2) copies of press releases about activities associated with Children’s Memorial Flag Day; (3) a list of cities flying the flag as wellas states and other agencies participating in the flag initiative; (4) public relations products, including a sample proclamation, public service announcement, and press release; and (5) suggested volunteer and support activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
