Honor & Remember Flag builds momentum

A flag designed to honor fallen service members continues to gain momentum.

Tuesday, March 31, Norfolk City Council unanimously passed a resolution recognizing and urging Congress to adopt the Honor and Remember Flag.

A Chesapeake father of a fallen soldier designed the flag and is leading a national effort to make it a symbol for every service member who loses their life while serving.

Earlier this month Chesapeake became the first locality to adopt a similar resolution.

Inside Chesapeake City Council chambers on March 10, members pledged their unanimous support for the "Honor and Remember Flag," by passing a resolution.

Mayor Alan Krasnoff read the resolution which in part stated, "...urging the United States Congress to adopt this flag as a national symbol... Whereas, there is no greater love than he who would lay down his life for his fellow man."

George Lutz designed the flag after his son Tony Lutz, an Army Corporal who was killed in Iraq. George Lutz unveiled the flag last Memorial Day, and Tuesday night, there were tears as he expressed his gratitude to city council.

"Thank you so much for being the first city I know of to adopt this flag," he said with a shaky voice.

Right now, there is not a nationally recognized flag for service men and women who lose their lives in combat. But their loved ones are consistently joining the Honor and Remember movement .

Last January, Carl Dozier's son, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Dozier was killed in Iraq.

Dozier's father said, "I received a flag at Arlington, it's folded, and it's never meant to be unfolded. This flag is meant to be flown."

Dozier and Lutz say their convictions go beyond their own losses.

"I am honoring the sacrifice of every young man and young woman since the revolution that has shed their blood for this republic," Dozier said.

Lutz said momentum is building, "City by city, and hopefully state by state and then nationally, this flag will honor those that died in the line of duty for our country."

Congressman Randy Forbes, (R-VA) introduced a resolution last month to make the flag a national symbol.

So far, no action has been taken. This is the Congress' second chance to consider the opportunity. It was introduced in the last congressional session without success.