Will County Gazette

A state senator recently highlighted a bill meant to recognize the sacrifices of gold star families.

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) said Senate Bill 1072, the Honor and Remember Flag, is also an homage to a soldier who died during the Iraq War in 2005.

“The Honor and Remember Flag began its story after Cpl. George ‘Tony’ Lutz II was killed in action while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq. While coping with this traumatic loss, Tony’s father sought to create a symbol that specifically acknowledged American servicemen and women who lost their lives while in the line of duty that could be easily displayed and recognized by anyone, at any time or at any place,” Rezin said in a news release. “In that effort, the Honor and Remember Flag was born. This flag was quickly adopted by the gold star family community and has become the unofficial symbol for our nation’s fallen heroes.”

 Lutz was a 25-year-old from Virginia Beach, VA when he was killed when his patrol was fired upon.

Earlier this month, Illinois Senate Bill 1072, amending the Flag Display Act, was unanimously approved by the Senate. The bill "designates the Honor and Remember Flag as the symbol of the state's concern for and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of all members of the armed forces who have lost their lives while serving or as a result of service and their families."

Rezin added that the Honor and Remember Flag is a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by our military personnel.  

“So often, gold star family members want assurance that their loved one’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain and that our nation will never forget that sacrifice,” she said. “By officially recognizing this flag and what it means, we can help ensure that no gold star family member has to ever wonder about that.”