Angelo Santabarbara announced he has authored legislation that would designate an official state flag for recognizing military service members who died while serving our nation in any war or conflict (A.1771). The bill would also require the commissioner of the state Office of General Services to establish protocols for flying this flag.

Santabarbara’s bill would establish the Honor and Remember Flag as the official state flag for recognizing members of all military branches who have died while serving the United States. The flag was conceived by George Lutz, whose son, George Anthony Lutz II, was killed by a sniper while he was on patrol in Iraq on Dec. 29, 2005. Lutz created the flag to commemorate fallen service members like his son after realizing that there was no official flag for this purpose.^[1]

“The courageous heroes who put their lives on the line for our freedoms deserve the utmost gratitude and respect,” Santabarbara said. “Having served in the Army Reserves and now as a member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I know the importance of supporting and recognizing the brave men and women who serve in our nation’s military. While we can never repay the debt of gratitude owed to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, this flag is a way to honor those fallen heroes and their families.”

“America needs a tangible symbol that specifically honors the sacrifice of men and women in the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives for their country,” said Honor and Remember founder, George Lutz. “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.”

More than half of the states across the country have already adopted the Honor and Remember Flag.^[2] New York, which is home to approximately 800,000 veterans, should be added to the growing list of states adopting this meaningful symbol,^[3] noted Santabarbara.

[1] honorandremember.org/our-origin

[2] Ibid.

[3] nyshealthfoundation.org/resource/veterans-and-health-in-new-york-state