Forbes: Honor and Remember Flag Gets Strong Support - Atlanta Military Families Examiner

Atlanta Gold and Blue Star Mothers ask Isakson and Perdue to "Honor and Remember" our fallen

Please see the bottom of the page for very important information.  http://www.honorandremember.org/index.php

Atlanta, May 24'th, 2010:

This week, as Atlanta readies for Memorial Day, Senator Isakson and Governor Perdue will have a very special email in their inboxes. A letter from local North Metro Atlanta Blue Star Mother’s of America President, Cindy Wiley. In her letter, Ms. Wiley kindly asks that both Georgia representatives address a request hot on the heels of other state’s actions.

The Honor and Remember Flag, an idea and design born from the heart of a grieving father, George A. Lutz, represents those whom he fears may be forgotten- America’s fallen heroes and their families. Mr. Lutz knows all too well the price of war. He lost his beloved son, Cpl. Anthony (Tony) Lutz, when a sniper’s bullet took the young man’s life while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq just days after Christmas in 2005.

In a phone interview last night, Mr. Lutz graciously expressed his pride of country and of how pleased he is with the support and kindness of so many friends, families and strangers. But Mr. Lutz also realized that, in the general public, as he stated, "People forget quickly." And they do.

In the inevitable and daily tide of war, people forget. More circumstance than deliberate intent, conflict becomes commonplace in news reports and headlines are barely noticed with the same fervent interest as in the beginning. People plan gatherings on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other Holidays representative of our service members. They gather along street-side parades to remember and honor both our fallen heroes and those that currently serve. But after they go home -after the fanfare has quieted and crowds have dispersed, the families of the fallen are alone again. They are the Gold Star Families of our country and, turning to one another for support, they live day by day remembering and memorializing and aching for their missing loved one.

“Families recall every day,“ Lutz said.“ They need a tangible symbol of ‘Thank You’ that specifically honors the men and women in the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives for their country“. And many others would agree.

Backed by powerful military support organizations such as American Gold Star Mothers of America, Inc., The Blue Star Mothers of American, Inc., Gold Star Wives, Vietnam Veterans of America, Fleet Reserve Association, Military Officers Association of America, the associations of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, Mr. Lutz’s campaign to, as he stated, "Change the mindset of a nation", is well on its way to becoming a reality.

Sponsored by Congressman Randy Forbes (R) from Lutz’s home state of Virginia, Honor and Remember, or H.R. 1034, as it is technically known, seeks to amend title 36 of the U.S. code to designate the Honor and Remember Flag as an official symbol to recognize and honor members of the armed forces who gave their lives in the line of duty or other reasons.

Co-sponsored by 15 other state representatives including Congressmen Joseph Pitts (Pa.), Barrett Gresham (SC) and Christopher J. Lee (NY), the proposal is picking up speed as Lutz makes his way across the country to garner public and official support for his worthy cause.

"The Honor and Remember Flag was created to fly at federal, state and municipal buildings, schools, businesses and homes as a continuous reminder of the price our nation has paid over two centuries for the freedoms we cherish as Americans," Lutz said. Since the Honor and Remember Flag / HR 1034 has proven a worthy catalyst for other state representatives to show their further support for our service members, Lutz is confident that both Isakson and Perdue will also move to back his cause.

To help in their decision making, Lutz asks that each citizen of each state contact their representatives to show their support as well. As listed on Lutz’s Honor and Remember, Inc. website, Mr. Lutz asks that supporters sign a petition stating their desire to support the Honor and Remember Flag as a permanently memorable symbol of military respect and reverence.

Ms. Wiley’s letters to both Isakson and Perdue should give food for thought for all Atlanta residences on this approaching Memorial Day. But it is our state representatives who can bring the sacrifices of the fallen into sustained light. Several other states already have. Nine states including Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and South Carolina eagerly and unanimously agreed that the Honor and Remember Flag should become both a national and state symbol so that each citizen may be reminded of those who gave their lives so that others may find peace and freedom.

Gold Star parents, like Mr. Lutz and other families who have lost loved ones in times of war want no special treatment beyond a simple and publically consistent remembrance of what they have given so selflessly.

Inspired by the memory of a brave and dearly loved son, Mr. Lutz’s flag delivers a powerful message and reminder of what was given to those who still stand. The Honor and Remember Flag will speak for the Nation’s fallen with a simple and everlasting plea…

                               ”Don't forget I was here. Don't forget what I gave... Remember me.”

Mr. Lutz's "Honor and Remember" website : http://www.honorandremember.org/index.php

Sign the petition so that we may Honor and Remember all those who lost their lives in war: http://www.honorandremember.org/petition.php

To Contact Senator Johnny Isakson's office: http://isakson.senate.gov/leg.html

To Contact Governor Sonny Perdue's office: http://gov.georgia.gov/02/gov/home/0,2218,78006749,00.html

To contact other state representatives throughout the country: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml