VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A local man's quest to honor America's fallen troops is getting a boost.
Gold Star father George Lutz created the "Honor and Remember" flag, following the death on his son in combat.
His son, Corporal George Anthony Tony Lutz II was killed in Iraq in 2005 at age 25.
The senior Lutz's Honor and Remember flag is front and center every year during the Run for the Fallen from Fort Story to Arlington National Cemetery. More than 4,600 hundred of the flags have been presented to Gold Star families in tribute to their departed heroes.
In Virginia alone, there've been 786 service members who've died during military service since the October 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole.
The Honor and Remember flag has been adopted by 27 states and now in Congress, there is House Resolution 4109 to amend the U.S. code to designate the Honor and Remember Flag as an official symbol to recognize members of the U.S. armed forces who've died in the line of duty.
"It was honestly created so that we could as individuals send a message to the families that were still with us and still grieving that we haven't forgotten. And so that really is the reason the flag exists, so that we can be thankful," said Lutz.
In an interview with 13News Now, Lutz continued: "I'm hoping from this point forward, from the adoption forward, is that all of us will have a much, much greater appreciation of not just sacrifice, but of patriotism."
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R, VA-02) and Rep. Don Davis (D, NC-01).
Co-sponsors are Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Rep. Virginia Fox (R-North Carolina).
In a news release, Kiggans said: "Gold Star families represent the sacred American values of service and patriotism. As a veteran with strong family military ties who represents a large active-duty and veteran population, I know the personal sacrifices our Gold Star Families have made for our great nation. I’m proud to join Congressman Davis to lead this important bipartisan resolution that will play a small role in giving our Gold Star families the recognition they deserve!"
The bill was just introduced last week and was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. No hearing or vote has been scheduled yet.
Past bills have failed five times.