On Patrol

In towns, villages, and metropolitan cities around the world, a colorful piece of cloth dances gracefully in the wind atop a steel staff. Every local citizen who gazes at it knows exactly what it represents. The magnitude of its affect might differ from one to the next, but its cardinal meaning is understood by all.

Flags have become ubiquitous symbols of organized groups with each bearing a unique design that properly represents the group for which it was created.

In America, nothing speaks louder than the “stars and stripes” of the American Flag. It represents our heritage, our independence—and at the same time—our unity.

American people, however, use different flags to represent everything from political special interests to hometown football teams. On more than one occasion, flags have been flown to honor and remember special groups of people who have made great sacrifices in the line of duty.

Fallen firemen and policemen have flags dedicated to their honor. Prisoners of war and those missing in action are remembered with the POW/MIA Flag. But there seems to be one flag conspicuously missing—a flag remembering those who paid the ultimate price while serving in defense of America’s military.

Fortunately, there may be a remedy to this inequity making its way through the House of Representatives right now. House Resolution 546 (HR-546), sponsored by Representative J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), would designate a new flag to officially recognize and honor members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.

The Honor and Remember Flag was publically unveiled by Gold Star father George A. Lutz on Memorial Day 2008, as a tangible emblem to call specific attention to those who have made this sacrifice since the American Revolution.

Lutz, the driving force behind the Honor and Remember Flag, is on Capitol Hill this month attempting to speak with every U.S. Representative to gain co-sponsorship of the resolution. Thousands of Gold Star parents share his painful story, and tens of thousands around the country have lent their support to his mission by signing an online petition.

Lutz’s son, George Anthony Lutz II (Tony), was killed by a sniper while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on December 29, 2005. In the months that followed Tony’s funeral, his father began to speak with other Gold Star families because they could relate to his grief.

After speaking with these families Lutz found they had two key desires. First, these families hoped their sacrifices were not made in vain. Second, they hoped that their loved ones wouldn’t be forgotten. These concerns led Lutz look for a universally recognized symbol that specifically honors the loved ones who didn’t make it home. His search revealed no such symbol.

The Honor and Remember Flag. Courtesy photo

“That’s why this flag is so important,” said Lutz. “It’s more than just a way to remember. It’s a way to educate our youth about the sacrifice made as well as a way for everyone to say ‘Thank you’ without having to say a word.”

The symbolism of the Honor and Remember Flag is clear. It’s horizontally divided—two-thirds red over one-third white to represent the bloodshed of our heroes. A gold star overlays a blue star in the center of the flag representing symbolism already used to distinguish families who have a loved one serving—the blue star—and those who have lost a loved one in the fight—the gold star.

The white border surrounding the gold star recognizes the purity of sacrifice. To Lutz and many others of like mind, there is no greater sacrifice an American can make than to give his or her life in service to their country.

A folded flag rests in the base of the star signifying the final tribute to an individual. In the center of the gold star is an eternal flame—a reminder of the spirit that has departed this life yet burns on in the memory of all who knew and loved the fallen hero.

George Lutz, center, presents a personalized Honor and Remember Flag to the mother of Army Sergeant Christopher Simpson. Courtesy photoEmblazoned across the base of the flag are the words “Honor and Remember,” which together with the folded flag, flame, and colored stars, tell the story of personal loss.

“This country was founded, maintained, and paid for with the blood of individuals, not just the volumes of the masses—names, not statistics,” said Lutz, “That is why a unique feature of this flag’s design is the option to personalize it—to actually display the name of a friend or loved one as part of its structure.”

When combined with the name of an individual, the flag’s bold statement comes to life, saying literally, “Honor and Remember Corporal George Anthony Lutz II,” because he and his family have made a great sacrifice for this country.

To learn more about the Honor and Remember Flag or to learn how you can show your support, visit www.honorandremember.org.