ICYMI: Kiggans, Davis Introduce Legislation Honoring Fallen Heroes

WASHINGTON, DC: On June 14 (Flag Day), Navy veteran Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Air Force veteran Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) introduced the bipartisan Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act of 2023. The bill would designate the Honor and Remember Flag as the official U.S. symbol of concern and commitment to honoring and remembering all Armed Forces members who lost their lives in the line of duty. Twenty-seven states have already adopted the flag; this bill would automatically adopt the flag for all 50 states.

“Gold Star families represent the sacred American values of service and patriotism,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “As a veteran with strong family military ties who represents a large active-duty and veteran population, I know the personal sacrifices our Gold Star Families have made for our great nation. I’m proud to join Congressman Davis to lead this important bipartisan resolution that will play a small role in giving our Gold Star families the recognition they deserve!”

“The bipartisan Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act is a commitment to honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” said Congressman Davis. “This legislation represents our unwavering gratitude and serves as a reminder of the selflessness and courage of our fallen heroes. Recognizing the Honor and Remember Flag ensures that their memory lives on and their stories continue to inspire future generations. Together, we can proudly raise this Flag as a symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and unflinching patriotism.”

“The adoption of the Honor and Remember flag will forever serve as America’s commitment to the generations of military lives given, and send a unified message to every survivor; we will never forget,” said George Lutz, founder of Honor and Remember, Inc. “By embracing its symbolism, we create a perpetual legacy of remembrance; representing our nation’s public expression of appreciation and tangibly recognizing the sacrifice of generations of military fallen and their families.”

“National Sons of AMVETS strongly supports and endorses the use of the Honor and Remember Flag. There are no words that are perfectly fitting to pay tribute to the heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to our country,” said Michael Ciesla, Commander of National Sons of AMVETS. “There is no measure of gratitude we can offer to their families that can fill the empty void left by the loss of a loved one. We can, by displaying the Honor and Remember Flag, perpetually honor them all, and remember them individually by name.”

BACKGROUND

Honor and Remember Inc. was founded in 2008 by George Lutz after his son, Army Cpl. George “Tony” Lutz II died during combat in Iraq. Mr. Lutz sought to create an official symbol to publicly honor and remember all fallen American servicemembers, as no symbol existed for that expressed purpose.

Each element of the Flag’s design speaks to our nation’s appreciation for those we have lost: red for spilled blood, blue for military service, white for purity of sacrifice, gold for the ultimate sacrifice of life, a folded flag as a final tribute, and a flame for a spirit that lives forever in memory.

The legislation also provides days of the year, memorials, and other locations for the flag to be displayed, such as the U.S. Capitol, war memorials, and national cemeteries, among other sites. Also, on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

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