Louisiana State Emblem of Military Service

"Honor and Remember Flag"

April 30th

Adopted in 2011

Regular Session, 2011 HOUSE BILL NO. 139 BY REPRESENTATIVE ST. GERMAIN allowed for the designation of the The Honor and Remember flag as an official state emblem of military service. The flag was designed by George Lutz, who lost his son in Iraq in 2005. The flag shall serve as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms.

Already 11 states have adopted the Honor and Remember flag. Another 12 have pending legislation. It is adopted by: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Oregon, Utah, Arizona and Kansas. Pending states include: Alaska, Colorado, South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and others.

Louisiana State Emblem of Military Service:
"Honor and Remember Flag"

Corporal George A. (Tony) Lutz, II, U.S. Army, whose death in Fallujah, Iraq, inspired his father George A. Lutz, Sr. to design the Honor and Remember flag to show public gratitude for the sacrifice of all our military who died in the line of duty. Tony's posthumous awards include: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Combat Action Badge. He also received National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal. George A. Lutz, Sr., founded Honor and Remember Inc. in 2008, and the distinctive Honor and Remember flag he designed now flies officially in 11 states that have adopted it. It is pending in another 12 states. Several military associations (U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force) have endorsed it, as have Vietnam Veterans of America, Blue Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives, Sons of the American Revolution. Sponsors include Amerigroup, General Dynamics, and Regent University.

Louisiana Law

The law designating the State emblem of military service is found in the Louisiana Statutes, Title 49, Section RS 49:156

TITLE 49 - State administration

RS 49:156. State emblem of military service

RS 49:156
§156. State emblem of military service; display over the state capitol

A. The Honor and Remember flag shall be an official state emblem of military service. The flag was designed by George Lutz, who lost his son in Iraq in 2005. The flag shall serve as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. The red field on the flag represents the blood spilled by brave men and women in America's military throughout our history, who willingly gave their lives so that we all would remain free. The blue star represents active service in military conflict. The white border surrounding the gold star recognizes the purity of sacrifice. The gold star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service who will not return home. Gold reflects the value of the life that was given. The folded flag signifies the final tribute to an individual life that a family sacrificed and gave to the nation. 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. The use of the Honor and Remember flag on official documents of the state along with the insignia of the state is hereby authorized.

B. The Honor and Remember flag may be displayed over the state capitol on the following days:

(1) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.

(2) Veterans Day, November eleventh.

Acts 2011, No. 222, §1.