Honor and Remember

December 29, 2005, George A. Lutz II was serving his country as part of a patrol inside Fallujah, Iraq. Corporal Lutz fell victim to a sniper’s bullet. In the months that followed Corporal Lutz’s funeral, his father visited with other families who had lost loved ones in the Iraq war. He realized two things. These families were only the most recent additions to a group that originated with the American Revolution, when the first soldiers died for our freedoms. The families of the fallen soldiers want this supreme sacrifice to be remembered and to know it was not made in vain.

On Monday, May 26, 2008, Representative Thelma Drake attended the unveiling ceremony for the Honor and Remember Flag as a special guest. George Lutz, the flag’s originator was also present. This flag combines the stars used by the military to designate service, an eternal flame and a folded American flag in its design. This flag is intended to fill a long absent universally recognized symbol that acknowledges the American servicemen and servicewomen who never made it home.

I am interested in supporting the cause established by Honor and Remember, Inc. The mission of Honor and Remember, Inc. is to create, establish and promote a nationally recognized flag that would fly continuously as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. All Military lives lost not only in action but also in service, from our nation's inception. For over 200 years there has never been an official national symbol that recognizes in gratitude and respect the ultimate sacrifice made by members of the United States military in service to our nation. The Honor and Remember Flag was created for that purpose.

I would encourage everyone to sign the petition at http://www.honorandremember.org/petition.html, which is a petition to establish a National Remembrance Flag. Additionally, take a moment to contact your Representative in Congress and express your support for the current Congressional Bill H.R. 7111. The congressional website provides a very nice form to help you contact your representative (https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml).

Although I tend to consider the American flag as an all purpose patriotic device, I also feel strongly that this is a good cause. This would not diminish the strength of our flag but to the contrary it would complement it very nicely. Please help me support the families of those who have fallen serving and protecting our freedoms.