2010 Archives - Honor and Remember, Inc.

SPC Lance A. Clark ~ 25 May 2010 ~ US Army

March 15, 2013 by George Lutz

Honor and Remember Dispatch – June 2010, Vol 3 Issue 5

February 24, 2012June 5, 2010 by George Lutz

Founder’s Message – The Journey Continues

Hello from Cleveland, Ohio! Exciting things are happening with the Honor and Remember Across America campaign. This is the first dispatch from the road that I’ve been able to put together, but there will be weekly updates from here until I return home in November.

Where to start! How about with our terrific welcome in Cleveland? I am on my way to the Cleveland Indians baseball stadium for Honor and Remember Night with a motorcycle escort courtesy of Rolling Thunder. This is just one of dozens of special moments that I’ve had in the first 30 days of our national effort to raise awareness about the Honor and Remember Flag.

This update will be a little longer than the ones to follow so that I can catch you up on all of the exciting news so far.

As you may know, Honor and Remember Across America is a five-month journey across the USA that will take us to every state capital. Our goal is to meet with local, state and federal political leaders in order ask for their endorsement for both state and federal recognition of the Honor and Remember Flag. At each stop my hope is to spend time with Gold Star families and share the vision of what we are doing as well as share stories of our loved ones. The most important moments are the presentation to many families with personalized flags.

On June 7, we set out on the first leg of our journey, which took us to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where we were met by the base commander, vice commander and chief of family support. The Dover facility is where our fallen heroes first come when they return to the USA. What an amazing place this is to welcome our heroes home! We had the privilege of presenting flags to the families of LCpl Richard James and SP4 Keith Campbell. Lots of tears of gratitude for the recognition of the sacrifice of these two Americans.

June 8 saw us head out of Delaware’s capital after a successful meeting with state legislators. Our destination: Bel Air, Maryland, where we presented two more flags to Gold Star families. The next day, we visited the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where we had a great tour and fabulous lunch with several Gold Star families.

Next stop: New Jersey. Another flag presentation, this time for a family of a Vietnam War casualty. After leaving Trenton, we headed to New York City, where I appeared on the FOX News Strategy Room broadcast.

June 12 – Onward to Connecticut to attend a fallen heroes memorial celebration with many Gold Star families in attendance, including the widow of a Vietnam soldier.

On June 14, we met with our first governor (other than Bob McDonnell in our home state of Virginia). Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri signed our Pledge of Support, a document we are taking from state to state, asking lawmakers at every level of government to promise their support for recognizing the Honor and Remember Flag at the state and national levels.

June 15 we were in Boston, Massachusetts for a flag presentation within the halls of the state capital. Many legislators and Gold Star families in attendance.

Augusta, Maine was our next stop for a flag presentation for another Vietnam God Star mother. On June 18, we had a great meeting with Vermont Governor Jim Douglas.

June 21. Albany, New York. Met with two New York state senators and had a great interview on ABC Channel 10 News. We visited Syracuse and Rochester, which included a Patriot Guard escort to a Rochester Redwings game, where a special ceremony was held.

June 24 was a travel day to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. All along the way we have had the opportunity to stay with wonderful families and visit great churches. Governor Ed Rendell promised that the HR Flag will be flying in PA. On our way to the Pennsylvania’s Heroes Walk outside Pittsburgh we passed the 3,000-mile mark after 18 days on the road.

Charleston, West Virginia was our next stopover. We met with Governor Joe Manchin III and held a ceremony for several Gold Star families. Then it was on to Cincinnati, Ohio, where we discovered that the Honor and Remember RV needed some brakes. God must have had his hand on us as we cross the mountains in West Virginia.

Today, July 2, we had a great press conference at the Ohio state house in Columbus. Two more flag presentations. On our way to the Cleveland Indians game.

As you can see, it’s been an eventful month.

Monday we head for Traverse City, Michigan, where we will spend a few days before we head out for Indianapolis, Indiana.

Please check the Honor and Remember web site www.honorandremember.org for the Honor and Remember Across America itinerary. There are many expenses on our journey, one of the largest being gas. Please consider helping us financially or providing any other assistance as we come to your hometown. Contact us at the web site and let us know if you would like to be involved with any of the planned events in your state. Thank you for the continued prayers and encouragement.

God Bless
George
Sign the Petition ~ Share the Vision ~ Fly the Flag

Founder’s Message – The Journey Continues
Hello from Cleveland, Ohio! Exciting things are happening with the Honor and Remember Across America campaign. This is the first dispatch from the road that I’ve been able to put together, but there will be weekly updates from here until I return home in November.

This update will be a little longer than the ones to follow so that I can catch you up on all of the exciting news so far.

June 12 – Onward to Connecticut to attend a fallen heroes memorial celebration with many Gold Star families in attendance, including the widow of a Vietnam soldier.

June 15 we were in Boston, Massachusetts for a flag presentation within the halls of the state capital. Many legislators and Gold Star families in attendance.

Augusta, Maine was our next stop for a flag presentation for another Vietnam God Star mother. On June 18, we had a great meeting with Vermont Governor Jim Douglas.

Today, July 2, we had a great press conference at the Ohio state house in Columbus. Two more flag presentations. On our way to the Cleveland Indians game. As you can see, it’s been an eventful month. Monday we head for Traverse City, Michigan, where we will spend a few days before we head out for Indianapolis, Indiana.

God Bless
George
Sign the Petition ~ Share the Vision ~ Fly the Flag

NATIONAL FLAG MOVEMENT MARKS SECOND ANNIVERSARY WITH CROSS COUNTRY CAMPAIGN

February 24, 2012May 17, 2010 by George Lutz

NEWS RELEASE – May 17, 2010

Honor and Remember Founder Will Visit 50 State Capitals in Five Months

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – Honor and Remember, Inc., an organization founded on Memorial Day 2008 to promote a new national symbol honoring all those who died in military service to America, will visit 50 state capitals on a mission to gain national awareness for the Honor and Remember Flag and to present families of the fallen in each state with personalized flags.

“Honor and Remember Across America” will take founder George Lutz from Virginia Beach, Virginia, in a special RV on a circuitous route across the country to promote the passage of U.S. House of Representatives bill HR 1034, which authorizes the Honor and Remember Flag to be made a national symbol. Stopping at each state capital, Lutz will meet with local, state and federal political leaders seeking their endorsement for both state and federal recognition of the flag. At each stop he will also spend time with families who have lost a loved one in military service and as funds allow present many with a flag emblazoned with the name, date of death and place of death of their family member.

“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 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.”

On Saturday, June 5th there will be a short ceremony initiating the campaign. Two days later, the Honor and Remember RV will set out on the first leg of a 23-week journey by heading north to Dover, Delaware, where the bodies of fallen military service members enter the country. Then after a stop at the United States Navel Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the campaign will travel through the remaining Mid-Atlantic states and New England prior to heading west.

The “Honor and Remember Across America” itinerary includes a stop in Los Angeles on September 11, where a special rally will be held, featuring various celebrities including television and radio personality Dennis Miller and actress Bo Derek. The journey will culminate on Veterans Day, November 11, at Arlington National Cemetery for a final ceremony.

During his journey, Lutz will spend time sharing the vision of the Honor and the Remember Flag with Americans everywhere. His desire is to encourage them to support the effort to have the flag adopted as a national symbol by writing to their elected officials and encouraging them to support the flag initiative.

“This is a grassroots campaign to establish a new emblem with which every American can say, ‘I am grateful for and I will never forget what so many families have lost to preserve our nation,'” said Lutz. “Where the Honor and Remember Flag flies beneath the American flag, it reminds us all that freedom is never free.”

On December 29, 2005, George Anthony Lutz II (Tony) was killed by a sniper’s bullet while he was on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq. His family and friends endured the shock, emotional agony and overwhelming loss that accompanied the news of Tony’s death, just like the many families who have suffered the same tragedy. In the months that followed Tony’s funeral, his father, George, visited other families who had lost loved ones in the Iraq war. He began to sense that he had joined the ranks of a unique fellowship. These families were only the latest additions to a group that originated with the American Revolution, when the first soldiers to shed their blood for our freedom gave their lives.

George found another commonality among the families of fallen soldiers. After their grief had transitioned to numbness and finally to acceptance, many families wanted to know two things: their sacrifice was not in vain and the nation would never forget. These concerns led George on a quest to discover if there was a universally recognized symbol that specifically acknowledges the American service men and women who never made it home. To his surprise, he found nothing. Thus the Honor and Remember Flag was conceived. Honor and Remember, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

During the last two years, personalized Honor and Remember Flags have been presented to nearly two hundred families. Each personalized flag contains the name, date of death and place of death of the service member. The flags are presented to the mother of the fallen service member or another designated family member.Along with many private presentations, Lutz was honored to present flags to family members of the 17 sailors killed in the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, who gathered for a special ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on October 12, 2008. On July 4, 2009, Lutz presented personalized Honor and Remember Flags to the family members of the marines killed in the Battle for Fallujah in 2004, who gathered for a special remembrance ceremony in Arlington, Virginia.Understandably, each individual presentation is an emotional and meaningful moment. In addition to the families of service members who have fallen in recent conflicts, Lutz has presented flags to family members of loved ones killed in World War II and Vietnam.

The Honor and Remember Flag has been endorsed by the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., The Gold Star Wives of America, The Blue Star Mothers, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Fleet Reserve Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the Associations of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, among many other organizations. The flag has already been adopted as an official state symbol of remembrance by Virginia and Oklahoma; legislation to adopt the flag has been written in nine other states.

Honor and Remember Dispatch – April 2010, Vol 3 Issue 4

February 24, 2012April 29, 2010 by George Lutz

Founder’s Message – A Moment Worth Sharing

I would like to begin today with an appeal for help. We are less than 40 days from leaving on the trip Across America and still have not met all of our expectations. If you are able to meet us or help arrange for our visit in any way please write to me at contact@honorandremember.org. Thanks to all who are working in their state to make this historic journey successful. We still need specific assistance in the following states: Maine, Vermont, Oregon, North Dakota, West Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee, Montana and Rhode Island.

This past month I shared an experience many Americans most assuredly missed. I had the opportunity to participate in National Observance of Iraqi Liberation Day (NOILD), which was marked by a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery that included officials and military generals from Iraq. Although this hallowed occasion was very meaningful to me, what impacted me the most as a Gold Star father whose son was killed in Iraq was what was said.

I was able to hear words that were not broadcast that day on the evening news … words that the American public will never hear … words of thankfulness. You see, we are making a difference in Iraq and the appreciation expressed by the Iraqi dignitaries that day was heartfelt. One by one the Iraqi officials stood at the podium, looked into the crowd and spoke words I didn’t realize I needed to hear: “Thank you.”

The lives of our American sons and daughters, husbands and wives sacrificed to achieve Iraq’s liberation have made a difference for that nation that is still hard to fully comprehend. In addition to freeing Iraq from the grip of a ruthless dictator, paving the way for self-governance and providing guidance for Iraq’s own security forces, our armed forces have played a major role in building hospitals, schools and other facilities.

Here is a personal note sent to us after this solemn April event:  ”GEN Abadi, Vice Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Forces, wants me to convey his personal felicitations to you, the parents, and to convey the sentiment, as he did at Arlington National Cemetery, that CPL Lutz rests assured to be on our minds often and in our prayers always. The general said, ‘The images of our reunion, in the midst of our martyrs, Iraqi and American, on America’s hallowed ground, Arlington National Cemetery, will stay with me forever. They are America’s best, they are your sons and daughters, and while we have returned their remains to American soil, their souls shall live on in the hearts of Iraqis, in Eternity. For now, by what they have done for Iraqi Freedom, they have become our sons and daughters as well.'”

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. THANK YOU. Powerful words. I firmly believe that our military involvement in Iraq was not in vain. Our blood and treasure were not wasted. Our loved ones went over there to make a difference. They were on a mission they believed in and even though we may not be able to say right now mission accomplished 100 percent, they all fought and many died for the noblest of causes: freedom.

As we move forward with building national awareness for the Honor and Remember Flag, let’s not forget that Americans are not the only people who should be thankful for generations of the USA’s military fallen heroes. Just as they gave their lives to preserve our freedoms, they also died so that people in many foreign lands could live free from tyranny. And for that, they deserve the thanks of free people everywhere.

God Bless
George
Sign the Petition ~ Share the Vision ~ Fly the Flag

Our Hero’s Story – Byron Bird, Jr

(Selected verses from two poems, “A Father’s Memory of His Son” and “High in the Mountains”)

Twenty-nine years ago, I was wild as anyone could be;
I met a wonderful woman and asked her to marry me.
All our friends and family were at the wedding, they wished their very best;
A new and special love I found; this woman’s patience I would sometimes test.

Nine months after the vows, there came into this world a bundle of joy.
It was a glorious day, she had given birth to a beautiful brown-eyed boy.
He was full of spirit and difficult at times; He was a lot of fun.
One of my greatest treasures: I loved him dearly, for he was my first son.

I watched him grow and he developed into a young man so wild and free.
He was like no other, one of God’s greatest gifts, we called him Jeremy.
Growing tall and lean with a desire to be with the best;
The way he played football and wrestled, he stood out among the rest.

Graduation day came early for him in the year of ninety-one,
On the honor roll four years for being the best that he was among.
Most valuable football player and wrestler, he wouldn’t settle for anything less.
After graduation, he gave up his Blazer and friends, then joined the Army to be with the best.

I asked him not to go; he said with firmness in his voice that he must do this for himself.
He was always G.I. Joe as a kid; his personal life would be put on the shelf.
Training was hard with many difficulties; running and marching, never time to sit.
He would become an Airborne Ranger, by their creed they were never allowed to quit.

I came home on the fateful day after work; I was tired and all worn out.
In drove the chief of police, a priest and a sergeant; I wondered what this was about.
His mother was the first to greet them, then turned to me with tears in her eyes;
For Jeremy had made the ultimate sacrifice and they told us how he died.

It was in a helicopter crash over the Great Salt Lake; it went down in a fiery flame.
He had volunteered for this mission, letting no one else take it, for he wouldn’t be ashamed.
Sergeants, officers, enlisted men; the best of the best were together that fateful day;
All the rest of his Ranger buddies were on shore, but all they could do was pray.

There was such beauty at the cemetery, a blanket of white snow; the Rangers were standing so proud.
With prayers and farewells, a twenty-one-gun salute, then taps that touched the hearts in the crowd.
His mother laid a yellow rose on the casket, as an eerie gust of wind came down;
As the rose blew off, a Ranger out of nowhere caught it before it touched the ground.

I believe that gust of wind was taking his soul back to heaven, where he came from
Jeremy was only here for a short while; God’s gift to me, my beloved son.
Two weeks after he had gone, I had a vision. It was Jeremy and he said to me,
“Get on with your life, I am at peace; you’ve grieved enough, just let it be.”

As the days go by and time passes, his spirit keeps me moving on.
I will think of him often and the memory of where he is in the great beyond.
Someday this old cowboy will ride that horse alone to that mountaintop up high.
It will be a lonely ride, but it will be worth it to see my son, that Ranger in the sky! …………His Dad

NOTE: Honor and Remember is looking for positive stories about the young men and women who have died serving our country. We would like to share them in this newsletter and on a special page on our web site. The stories should be about 300-400 words in length and contain insights that capture the individual’s personality and celebrate their life and honor their experiences in service, etc. We want to present a snapshot of our young heroes … who they were and how those who loved them remember. Photos are welcome. Please send to contact@honorandremember.org

Why I’m on Board – Laura Olisewski

It was one of those picture perfect days. You know the kind: sunny, an occasional white cloud in a deep, blue sky. It was about 70 degrees and there was a gentle, warm breeze – just perfect. I was in our backyard, picking blueberries from the more than 30 bushes we had when the chimes at the church at the end of our street started to play “America the Beautiful.” I laughed because it was just too perfect – almost unreal.

Then I started to think about how truly blessed I am that I have the freedom to have all of these wonderful things in my life. The one thought that stuck in my mind was “freedom.” I thought about all the soldiers, sailors and veterans that have fought for my freedom throughout the years, even years before I was born. It reminded me that I owe so much to them for what they have given me.

That is why I am such a strong supporter of the Honor and Remember campaign. The very least that I can do is to show the families of the fallen that I respectfully honor and remember what their hero gave for me. The Honor and Remember Flag helps me to do that, without needing to say a word, because it isn’t always easy to find the words that truly express the feelings associated with such a tough situation.

My husband and I are honored to be VIP escorts at Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C. We have Gold Star family members on the back seats of our motorcycles as we ride them through the streets of Washington, D.C. during the event. While doing this not long ago, we were honored to meet the Morel family. They lost their Marine son, Capt. Brent Morel, (a Navy Cross recipient for extraordinary heroism), on April 7, 2004 in Iraq. Coincidentally, my husband was serving in Iraq at the same time. We have now become close with the Morels.

When Adam and I got married this past August, we knew that it was because of the work that American soldiers and sailors like Capt. Morel that we were able to have the freedom to celebrate our wedding as we did. So we included a story about Capt. Morel and the Morel family in our wedding program. We also went on to explain about our Honor and Remember Flag that we had flying at the outdoor wedding and why we were flying it. Our friend Neil Cotter, who is also friends with the Morels, surprised us by showing up with Capt. Brent Morel’s personalized Honor and Remember Flag, which had been shipped overnight by Molly Morel. So we were able to honor him in name at our wedding. It was truly a special day, but it was made all the more significant and memorable because we were able to show our guests how much we appreciate, recognize, honor and remember our fallen by flying the flag.

A friend of mine, Christine, a Gold Star Mom, once said that her greatest fear is that people will forget her son, Cpl. Steven Koch. That really stuck with me. Those words strengthened my resolve to make sure that Gold Star families know that I recognize their sacrifice and remember their hero every day … and without a word.
Proud wife of Adam, an OIF 2004-2005 veteran!

News and Upcoming Events

With so much momentum in place and more progress ahead, we must focus on broadening awareness. That is why we will soon be taking the message to every state and launching “Honor and Remember Across America.” Click here for trip info.

The trip will focus on taking the Honor and Remember message to 50 states with the hope that each state legislature will join Virginia’s in officially adopting the flag. We will be giving presentations at various venues where we have been invited to speak, including houses of worship, veterans groups and community organizations. And most importantly, we will look forward to meeting many Gold Star families around the U.S. Our goals are to spread the word about the Honor and Remember Flag everywhere possible, to see the flag flying across America and to touch the lives of many families who have lost so much.

GUESTBOOK COMMENTS

I want to thank Kate McLaughin and this organization for Honoring me with this flag. I lost my son Spc Mathew Taylor 09-26-07. I appreciate everything that you all are doing and to all our soldiers for protecting our USA. Thank you also to all the soldiers like my son that gave their lives so that we all can be free!!! God Bless us all!!! Cameron Park, CA

“THANK YOU” For way too long this nation’s fallen have been reserved a place in the back of the bus, forgotten. Such has it been for our older warriors. In recent years, some of this still continues, yet there are still good, strong, honorable citizens that have stepped forward to hold our banner high and declare to all that they have what it takes to stand against the darkness. Many have fallen and this flag now honors them in a way that has never been done before. For this I say “THANK YOU”. To all my brothers and sisters in uniform… Montrose, CO

I am with you. I am a retired navy man and will be proudly flying this right along side my POW/MIA flag from my front porch. Shingletown, CA

I think this is a great idea! My husband has been to Iraq and Afghanistan and believe this is a wonderful way to honor him and those who came back safely, but most importantly for those who will never come back. I think about them every day and hope that they know how grateful we all are!! Knoxville, IL

This is for my Son Cpl Tim Roos KIA July 27 06 and all of the others that lost there lives for are freedom . Thank you so much for honoring us. Cincinnati, OH

Our son, Cpl Michael J. Anaya was KIA 04/12/2009 on Easter Sunday morning. We are still struggling with our loss and yet are so proud of him! God Bless you for this effort – it is comforting to know that the Fallen Warriors are not forgotten. Crestview, FL

This is an awesome movement honoring those who are so easily forgotten or just counted as mere statistics of war. I serve in the Navy and have seen many friends go to Iraq and Afghanistan during this war. Do whatever it takes to get this flag in the air! God will honor this, I truly believe that! Newport News, VA

Honor and Remember Dispatch – February 2010, Vol 3 Issue 2

February 24, 2012February 24, 2010 by George Lutz

Founder’s Message – The Journey Continues

I have delayed publishing this edition of the Dispatch to report some exciting news! Last week the Virginia Senate Rules committee unanimously voted to adopt the Honor and Remember Flag (HJR137) as an official state symbol recognizing its fallen military. The next stop for the bill is the Senate floor. The bill’s progress is a significant and historic moment as Virginia has made the statement that these brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families deserve a perpetual tangible emblem of thanks.

This is a major step in our campaign and we know that this vote sends a challenge to every state governor and legislature to adopt similar bills. Eventually, news of the actions taken by state legislatures will reach Washington and HR134 will become a reality.

To educate each state on the importance of this mission, I once again share with you what is ahead and ask for your help.

With so much momentum in place and more progress ahead, we must focus on broadening awareness. That is why we will soon be taking the message to every state and launching “Honor and Remember Across America” which I mentioned last month.

The trip will focus on taking the Honor and Remember message to 49 states with the hope that each state legislature will join Virginia’s in officially adopting the flag. We will be giving presentations at various venues where we have been invited to speak, including houses of worship, veterans groups and community organizations. And most importantly, we will look forward to meeting many Gold Star families around the U.S. Our goals are to spread the word about the Honor and Remember Flag everywhere possible, to see the flag flying across America and to touch the lives of many families who have lost so much.

Our plan is to leave Virginia the first week of June and spend 23 weeks traveling a route from one state capital to another, heading north to Maine, then west across the upper half of the United States, reaching Sacramento by early September. Then we will head south through California and then east across the lower half of the U.S., arriving at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2010 — A total of 22,000 miles round-trip.

I need your help to successfully accomplish this entire mission. I have posted a preliminary itinerary online (Click Here)
www.honorandremember.org/trip.php
and would ask that you look over the dates and places I am planning to visit. This cannot be achieved without significant resources, coordination and support. Please consider helping us in this effort, individually or corporately. Here are our areas of need.

Host us in your city and:

Help to secure appointments with state and local officials;
Join me at your state capital;
Arrange meetings with veterans groups or local organizations;
Help initiate and plan personalized flag presentations;
Provide opportunities to share in your place of worship or at community meetings
Join me on a portion of the road trip.

Our physical needs include:

Use of a Class A recreational vehicle;
Cost of gas, tolls, maintenance, insurance, etc.;
Food;
Lodging;
Flag sponsorship – personalized and state flags;
Airline tickets;
Volunteer staff & Drivers.

If you can help in any way possible or if you have suggestions for areas I have left out, please write to me at contact@honorandremember.org
Thank you for the continued support.

God Bless,
George
Sign the Petition ~ Share the Vision ~ Fly the Flag

Flag being flown by 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2, The Reapers. On 17 Feb 10 in Baghdad, Iraq this squad, Reaper 1-2, took this photo in honor of the 5 Fallen Air Force Security Forces members who gave their lives while deployed with the 732 ESFS over the last 3 years.

Our Hero’s Story – by Melanie Smith

He always had this ornery smile with a gleam in his eyes, a look of loving life and all the excitement life had to give. Lance loved his family, friends and country. His smile told so much about him.

As his mother I remember that five of Lance’s birthday cakes when he was young had military themes. Lance, his brothers, Matt and Phillip, and his cousins were obsessed with playing with toy guns, airplanes and fighting the “bad guys.” They always wanted to be the good guys. It was no surprise to his friends or family, when Lance signed up a year early for the U.S. Marine Corps during his junior year at Eastbrook High School. Lance and his cousin, Casey Stanley, always spoke of joining the Marines and fighting the “real” bad guys together. Lance and Casey followed Lance’s older brother Phillip, who had joined the Marine Corps in 2000.

Dedicated and determined to get started, Lance enlisted with two fellow Eastbrook graduates. They left for boot camp in September, 2001. Lance was stationed with the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines as a field radio communications operator at Camp Pendleton, California.

At one point during Lance’s time in Iraq, he found himself sitting in Saddam Hussein’s abandoned hot tub. Another time, he saw the bodies of a young mother clutching her small child in a mass grave. Lance’s first seven-month tour began with the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He left for his second tour in Iraq on September 1, 2004. Lance was the radio communications operator for his unit’s captain.

During his last call home he stated that his unit had been going out three to four times a day to look for the bad guys. In one of Lance’s last comments to his family that day, he stated, “I’m here so everyone there can be safe at home. So they can sleep safe at night. I don’t want this coming home.” Lance felt he was there so that all people (no matter where they lived) could have the freedom to do what they wanted to do, say the things they wanted to say and be who they wanted to be. Lance told his family “Freedom isn’t free, and we have a price to pay for it.” Lance was always “Gung Ho” about his beliefs, so much so that he wore the “Gung Ho” symbol tattooed on his left wrist.

Marine Cpl. Lance McGregor Thompson was killed by a suicide vehicle bearing an improvised explosive device detonated next to his vehicle during convoy operations on November 15, 2004. Today I am a proud American Gold Star Mother. Lance loved to fish and he loved to make those around him laugh. He hoped to go to college when he completed his commitment with the Marine Corps and was considering a career in the electrical engineering field. Our family has set up a school scholarship to continue his dream for other students who attend his high school.

Why I’m on Board – Kathy Moore

I am not exactly sure how or when I found out about Honor and Remember. Since my son, CPL Ryan Russell, was killed March 5, 2007 in Iraq along with two other soldiers, SPC Blake Harris, and PVT Barry W. Mayo, I have received many emails with links to different organizations that give support to military families.

In the days and weeks following Ryan’s death, we received quilts, books, coins and many other items from people who wanted us to know that they where thankful Ryan choose to serve his country. After awhile, it seemed as though we where the only ones that remembered Ryan.

Then I received an email with the link to Honor and Remember and I was really impressed. This was an organization that wanted to honor those who had given the ultimate sacrifice for this country and their families. The more I read about the design of the Honor and Remember Flag and the vision of George Lutz the founder the more that I wanted to be a part of the mission to make this flag a national symbol.

Even though I was a child during the Vietnam War, I can remember the disrespect that our veterans received when then came home. I wanted to be a part of not only giving honor to all of our nation’s fallen military but letting the families of these service members know that as a nation we have not forgotten them and will not forget them.

I think that it would be wonderful for current and future generations to have a symbol that honors all of our nation’s fallen military. For that reason, I decided to become involved. I am the North Carolina state chapter director of Honor and Remember.

I look forward to working with George and seeing the vision become a reality.

Kathy Moore
Gold Star Mother of CPL Ryan Russell

News and Upcoming Events

The 2010 calendar is now filling with ceremonies, trade shows, festivals and presentations. If you would like to consider Honor and Remember in your planning for the year please contact us at events@honorandremember.org

As part of the campaign, this summer we are planning a national awareness bus tour and would be privileged to include your event in our schedule if possible. We are planning personalized flags presentations in every state possible. Please write soon so that we can coordinate schedules.

If you know of any company or individual who would be willing to become a trip sponsor, donate the use of an RV, tour bus and/or the painting of a graphic wrap, let us know. Its time to bring this mission to the people. Thank you!

GUESTBOOK COMMENTS

This flag is such an honor to all that have served proudly. I’m hoping that this becomes every state’s goal. It is comparatively small in comparison to those who have given everything. I’m proud to say that I served, and even more proud to support those who can’t speak of their ultimate service. (Soldotna, AK)

Thank you for giving those of us who are grateful a chance to show just how, by flying this flag! My husband returned healthy and whole from Iraq, April 12, 2005, and I thank God every day. My heart breaks for those whose loved ones did not return….. those brave soldiers who died or those who were injured. Blessings to all involved in this endeavor. (Sarver, PA)

This is a WONDERFUL TRIBUTE! I urge everyone to participate in supporting this effort to Honor Our Fallen who have given their lives for all of us. (Blaine, MN)

Thank God for this tribute. This is something that every American should be thrilled to support.
(Lillington, NC)

God Bless all our veterans, past and present, survivors, KIAs, POWs, MIAs, KLODs, Disabled Veterans and the Patriotic People who Support and Promote this Organization, Amen. (Springfield, OR

Honor and Remember Dispatch – January 2010, Vol 3 Issue 1

February 24, 2012January 28, 2010 by George Lutz

Founder’s Message – Historic Year Ahead

I start this month’s message a bit late due to several positive events in January that I wanted to share. One was the national endorsement of political strategist Dick Morris, who encouraged his newsletter readers to support Honor and Remember. The response on our web site from this has been overwhelming and we thank him for sharing our mission with his audience. The second newsworthy occurrence was a bold move by the Virginia House of Delegates, which voted to adopt the Honor and Remember Flag as an official state symbol recognizing the commonwealth’s fallen heroes. Delegate John Cosgrove passionately introduced HJR137 and it passed with a vote of 97-0.

In the next few weeks, the Virginia Senate will vote on the bill and we pray it will be accepted with equal enthusiasm. If it is, Virginia will become the first state to officially adopt the flag. I believe the historic significance of state adoption not only merits national media attention but also deserves to be shared with every other state in our land.

It is for that reason we are planning “Honor and Remember Across America,” a five-month, 17,000-mile cross-country trip, in the spirit of Kevin Baker (click to read his story) to all 50 states. Our journey will take us to state capitals, churches, veterans groups and community events. We expect to visit with governors, members of Congress, mayors and the great people who make up this country.

The trip will focus on taking the Honor and Remember message to every state with the hope that each state legislature will join Virginia’s lead in officially adopting the flag. We will be giving presentations at various venues where we have been invited to speak, including churches, veterans groups and community organizations. And most importantly, we will look forward to meeting many Gold Star families as we make personalized flag presentations around the U.S. Our goal is to spread the word about the Honor and Remember Flag everywhere possible, to see the flag flying across America and to touch the lives of many families who have lost so much.

Our plan is to leave Virginia just after Memorial Day and spend 23 weeks traveling a route from one state capital to another, heading north then moving west crossing the upper half of the United States, reaching Sacramento by late August. Then we will head south through California and east across the lower half of the U.S., arriving at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010.

The planning and execution of this enormous undertaking will require financial and other resources. To make this a successful reality we need your help. Perhaps you can assist in arranging a meeting with your state’s governor and legislators or help arrange a meeting with your local veterans groups and community organizations. On Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, as available, we would like to have an opportunity to speak in your church or place of worship.

Our physical needs include the use of an RV (recreational vehicle) with which to make the trip. We are budgeting approximately $80,000 for the entire project, although we hope that we will receive donations of gas, food, lodging, airline tickets and incidentals to offset our costs. Of course, financial donations would be welcome as well.

Corporate sponsorships are also available and I welcome the opportunity to share our vision with companies or organizations who would like to be associated with this vision and lend their name and resources to making this mission successful. This will be an amazing journey of national awareness I hope many will join.

If you can help in any way possible or if you have suggestions for our trip, please write to me at contact@honorandremember.org
I will post an itinerary soon on our website. Thanks so much for your continued support,

God Bless
George
Sign the Petition ~ Share the Vision ~ Fly the Flag

PS: Please remember to replace your faded or worn our flags.

Our Hero’s Story – Sharon Patterson

In the early morning of Saturday, January 15, 2005, I could not sleep. I went downstairs and these words poured out, as did many tears. I didn’t understand why I was writing a poem that morning, but God did. The poem was not completed with the last stanza until January 15, 2007. I would like to share my heart with you, my precious friends, as I approach the five-year mark of my son’s death.

Praise God that I live in a country that’s free.
I did not know how important that is to me,
Until my son went off to war,
To a far off place; my heartstrings tore.

I remember the scene on that dark night.
It’s hard to describe, it was such a sight.
To see each soldier getting ready to leave;
What was in their minds I couldn’t conceive.

I see the bags packed side by side,
Lying on the ground buckled and tied.
Preparing to go, their spirits soared.
Their families were there to kiss them goodbye, Lord.

Each soldier stood brave on that June day.
As I saw them there, I began to pray.
As God is my witness, with Him on our side.
Protect them all Lord, I cried, I cried.

For many long months the war has gone on.
The troops go bravely and fight from dusk to dawn.
They live for each moment and do what they must.
For what keeps them going is “In God They Trust.”

Did I dwell on the thought that my son might not come home?
When I heard from him in a letter or less often by phone?
No, not ever, HE was coming back
With his gun by his side and carrying his pack.

He said to me Friday that they could see the light.
Shining before them, so true and so bright.
“My guys here are marking the days ’til we leave.
We’re coming to see our loved ones, we believe.”

I remember him saying what good things they’ve done.
“We’re moving out after the elections are run.
We’re keeping our wits; we’re watching our backs,
Always aware of all enemy attacks.”

He said, “I have to go now, I love you so.”
I replied back the same and “I miss you too, you know.”
I wanted to touch him, to see his sweet face
He sounded so close, I could feel his embrace.

I didn’t once think that this was the last…
For the time that we talked went by so fast.
His voice I remember, so strong and so true.
I would see him soon is all I knew.

Why God, why? I ask every day.
Why did you take my son away?
He was so young and had so much to give
We really wanted him to live.

To be here to see his child, precious Claire
She has his blue eyes and his color of hair.

Why I’m on Board – Skip Geisaka

The year 1968 was a difficult time in our nation’s history. Dr. Martin Luther King and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated. Vietnam was on everyone’s mind, with the TET Offensive dealing a deathblow to America’s hopes for victory in an unpopular war. More than 16,500 military personnel lost their lives in 1968, which happened to be the midpoint of the Vietnam War. My Lai had given the world a horrific picture of war and student unrest and protests were becoming more popular.

On a cool fall night and I was sitting on the sand of Virginia Beach with a high school friend who had recently returned from combat. We were talking about life and recent events when he started to open up about an experience that continued to haunt him. He had been on patrol in a clearing when he and the other men in his outfit were ambushed by the enemy. The fight ended quickly but many or his comrades were wounded, including my friend’s squad leader, who was also his best friend while in Vietnam. The squad leaders had been shot in the chest and my friend was holding him as he lay dying.

At this point in the story, my friend broke down and started crying, telling me that with his last words his friend kept asking for his mother. Then, still crying, my friend looked at me with anger and asked does anyone care that his friend died? Other than himself and members of his friend’s family, who would remember his friend’s sacrifice?

With the Honor and Remember Flag flying, we will never forget the price our military heroes have paid so that our Stars and Stripes can fly free and proud. To my friend I say, “I care” and “I will remember.” This is why I am on board with Honor and Remember.

News and Upcoming Events

The 2010 calendar is now filling with ceremonies, trade shows, festivals and presentations. If you would like to consider Honor and Remember in your planning for the year please contact us at events@honorandremember.org

If you know of any company or individual who would be willing to become a trip sponsor, donate the use of an RV or tour bus and/or the painting of a graphic wrap, let us know. Its time to bring this mission to the people. Thank you!

GUESTBOOK COMMENTS

It is with great pride we fly the Honor and Remember Flag as a tribute to all fallen heros. We shall do all we are able to promote Honor and Remember within out state and every where we travel. Thank you. You are a true PATRIOT. (Colville, WA)

I would like to thank all those involved with Honor and Remember. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t stop and think of all our Heroes, my nephew Sgt. Christopher Simpson being one. I continue to hand out Honor and Remember Cards and fliers where ever I go. I will continue to help as much as I can, slowly but surely your mission will be accomplished. (Ontario, NY)

I have a flag I fly on my Harley, am honored to do so as I am a Viet Nam Vet. (Elida, OH)

I am a Gold Star mom, who lost my son, Michael Patrick Pittman, on June 15, 2007 in Baghdad. Thank you for taking the time to support us and our loved ones. (Rock Island, IL)