Honor and Remember Flag

The Honor and Remember Flag has been designated as the official state symbol of remembrance to honor fallen military service members.

Public Chapter No. 539-Honor and Remember Flag

State of Tennessee
PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 539
SENATE BILL NO. 1431
By Green, Crowe, Ford, Kyle, Bell, Burks, Overbey, Yager
Substituted for: House Bill No. 1369
By Curtis Johnson, Carter

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, relative to an official state
symbol of remembrance.

WHEREAS, the general assembly finds that there is no specific symbol of remembrance
currently designated as the official state symbol of remembrance for the fallen military heroes of
Tennessee and their families; and

WHEREAS, after the death of his eldest son in Iraq, Gold Star father George Lutz recognized
the need to educate the nation about the precious cost of freedom. His mission became raising
awareness about the sacrifice made by military service members who died for their country through
the creation and establishment of a distinct and tangible symbol; and

WHEREAS, the Honor and Remember Flag was unveiled nationally on Memorial Day 2008
to recognize the sacrifice of our fallen military heroes and to honor their families; and

WHEREAS, the Honor and Remember Flag is endorsed by veteran and service
organizations, adopted by cities and states, and flown by patriotic Americans across our nation; and

WHEREAS, the Honor and Remember Flag is becoming a nationally accepted symbol of
remembrance to be flown on Memorial Day and on Veterans Day; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee, having earned its nickname 'Volunteer State" during the War of
1812, has long been known for its brave citizens' service in the military; and

WHEREAS, Tennesseans have since bravely participated in protecting the freedom of our
country by giving their lives in every major conflict; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting and proper to recognize the sacrifice of the fallen military
members and their families. The flag shall serve as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives
lost in defense of our national freedoms. It is only appropriate that the significance of this symbol to
the state and to all Tennesseans be recognized; now, therefore,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, is amended by adding
the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:

(a) The Honor and Remember Flag is designated as the official state symbol of
remembrance and as the symbol of our state's concern and commitment to honoring and
remembering the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their
lives while serving, or as a result of service, and their families.
(b) The design of the Honor and Remember Flag, created by Honor and Remember
Inc., shall be of the following design:
(1) The principal field of the flag shall be red to represent the blood shed by
brave service members who sacrificed their lives for freedom;
(2) The white banner at the bottom of the flag to represent the purity of that
sacrifice;
(3) The center of the flag shall feature a gold star outlined in blue. The blue
star-shaped border represents active service in military conflict and dates back to
SB 1431
World War I. The gold star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service
who is not returning home and reflects the value of life given;
(4) The folded flag element below the gold star highlights this nation's final
tribute to a fallen service member and a family's sacrifice; and
(5) The center of the gold star shall be filled by a flame, to symbolize the
eternal spirit of the departed.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

SENATE BILL NO. 1431
PASSED: March 3, 2014

Ron Ramsey
Speaker of the Senate

Beth Harwell, Speaker
House of Representatives  

APPROVED this 17th_day of March 2014
BILL HASLAM, GOVERNOR