Grundy Reporter

In a May 12 Facebook post, Sen. Sue Rezin spoke about the Honor and Remember Flag.

“The Honor and Remember Flag is a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by our men and women of our armed forces,” she wrote on Facebook. “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. 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.”

The Housing Assistance Council reported Illinois is home to 570,264 veterans.

“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 life while in the line of duty that could be easily displayed and recognized by anyone, at any time or at any place,” continued Sen. Rezin. “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.”

Once A Soldier wrote the GOP has a history of voting against the benefits of veterans. It noted the 45th United States President and congressional Republican leaders created budget proposals that would’ve negatively the economic security of veterans and their families.

On May 11, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1072, which "amends the Flag Display Act." It also "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."

NPR reported the GOP turned against veterans as the Senate was poised to pass a bill to provide health care and benefits to veterans injured by toxins, saying the same GOP initially supported the effort.

“The Honor and Remember Flag is a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by our men and women of our armed forces,” said Sen. Rezin. “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. 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.”