![[Honor and Remember Flag]](../images/u/us_honre.gif)
image by Pete Loeser, 14 September 2019
Last modified: 2019-09-08 by rick wyatt
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image by Pete Loeser, 14 September 2019
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A flag devised by George Lutz, Norfolk, VA, to honor and remember troops killed in combat and other service. See full details at the Honor and Remember website.
Valentin Poposki, 16 October 2008
The Honor and Remember organization and flag began in Norfolk, Virginia, as a way to honor and remember George Anthony (Tony) Lutz who was killed by a sniper's bullet while he was on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on December 29, 2005. What began as a family's grief coping mechanism has resulted in the founding of Honor and Remember, Inc., an organization whose primary goal is to honor the memory, and give a visible public reminder, of men and women who have given their lives in the service of their country. More importantly, to serve as a way to remember them each individually by name.
On each flag, below the black text "Honor and Remember" the flags are personalized with the person's name, rank, service, etc. in red lettering and presented to the family. (examples>The flags have been adopted in over 26 States by legislative action and the organization sponsors "Runs for the Fallen" that have become annual events in Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Indiana, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Kentucky and South Carolina. The organization also honors each individual presented a flag on their website.
To paraphrase the website, each detail on the flag symbolizes an important part of the overall meaning of the flag's message. The red field represents the blood spilled by brave men and women in America's military throughout our history, the blue star traditionally represents active service in military conflict, the gold star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service, and the white border beneath and surrounding the gold star recognizes the purity of sacrifice. The folded flag signifies the final tribute to an individual life that a family sacrificed and gave to the nation. The eternal flame is 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.
Pete Loeser, 14 September 2019
![[Honor and Remember Flag]](../images/u/us_honsa.gif)
image by Pete Loeser, 14 September 2019
Because of the increased fire fighter and law enforcement line of duty deaths in recent years, and as a way of honoring those who are giving their lives attempting to preserve and protect the nation's security through service in public safety, a similar second program in 2016 on the 15th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks was initiated to recognize their honor and sacrifice, including personalized flags for the fallen and their families. On each flag, below the black text "Honor and Sacrifice" the flags are personalized with the person's name, service, etc. in red (fire) or blue (police or medical) lettering to be presented to their families. (examples)
Once more to paraphrase the website, the blue field symbolizes nationally the law enforcement community, the purple field respectfully signifies mourning for a loss in the fire fighter community, the white field recognizes the purity of heart within each individual who serves and protects and is willing to face each day's challenges regardless of risk. The black star represents those who wear the distinctive badge including sheriff and marshal services, the Red Maltese Cross recognizes all who have fallen in the emergency response communities, the gold shield recognizes all law enforcement and other public safety representatives who wear the shield, including EMT and have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The folded flag signifies the final tribute to an individual life that a family has lost for the sake of others. The flame is an eternal reminder of the spirit that has departed this life yet burns on in the memory of all who knew and loved the fallen hero.
Pete Loeser, 14 September 2019
