Thanks to all of those supporters who helped pick up the 12,000 flags Friday morning. It went quickly and was completed in about two hours. What a respectful impact we all made yesterday. Perhaps this can become a yearly event. Let me know your thoughts.  

Now for phase two!

“Mr. Lutz goes to Washington”

Feb – March 2011
Goal: Meetings with all 535 elected officials. U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate.
Please contact your Representatives and help us arrange meetings in DC.

2011 will be the year for Honor and Remember federal adoption!

I count on your continued support. Stay tuned.

Blessings, George

Five months ago, 157 days back, June 7th Alex and I left Chesapeake Virginia to embark on an historic journey. The first stop Dover Air Force Base, where our sons and daughters are first brought home. Today, sans Alex, I arrive at the completion of this journey in Arlington National Cemetery for the concluding ceremony. I will post the accomplishments and statistics at some time later, may even be included in a book, but for now here is my best account of the day.

Veteran’s Day an extremely busy day at Arlington. A day to reflect on the those who have honorably served. Those who made it home and the sacrifice of so many who didn’t. A final resting place and a fitting background for our final tribute. My son like so many is buried here and those visiting this special place today were in the thousands. I thought that with an afternoon ceremony we would have beat the early crowds but that was not the case. Bumper to bumper traffic all the way in. If it wasn’t for my friend Neil, on his motorcycle blocking traffic, we may not have made it in time.

An absolutely gorgeous day, 65 and full sun. Arriving at section 60 was incredibly humbling, several hundred people were there in support of my arrival. Friends and family I hadn’t seen in months and supporters I had visited with across the nation. At 2pm we began to unofficially place 12,000 flags on the graves. Two flags on each, our steadfast US Flag and the flag that recognizes our fallen, the Honor and Remember Flag. It was an amazing site to see hundreds of people placing flags and reverently spending time with each hero. Hard to believe this small band could place so many flags in such a sort time. When they were done the sea of red white and blue inspiring.

The ceremony started like many with a prayer, the pledge and national anthem. Then took a different turn as I invited visiting dignitaries and supporters to share what was on their heart. Why were they there? Not to support my journey specifically but what being there meant to them. It was a wonderful time of sharing, with inspirational words from all. I did share a bit about the journey but very little, and concluded as I have everywhere in this nation, with a personalized flag presentation to two special women. Susan booth who lost her husband Arlie Spenser in Cambodia in 1970 and Kate McLaughlin, who lost her son in march of 2008, Iraq. This truly is the heart of the mission, touching lives in a special and tangible way. I hope to hear many stories of his today and the days past have touched the people I have met. And I challenge those who believe in this mission, to continue to sponsor flags and reach out to the thousands of families yet to reach. Please enjoy the coverage we received on this final day of tribute.

FOX News Interview

CNN Special Feature

CBN News Report

WVEC Local Wrap-up

Tomorrow: Post Arlington. Pick up all the placed flags.

Phase one is behind, So much more ahead… I count on your continued support. Stay tuned.

Blessings, George

Drove 5 hours to Richmond, Virginia last night and along the way found out my legislative visit in the morning had been canceled. I was exhausted and decided to just stay in Richmond anyway before heading to Washington, DC.  I also needed to advance my trip to the cemetery and meet with the superintendent before tomorrows ceremony. Having of course nothing but the RV, I respectfully drove the beast into Arlington. There were many funerals being conducted and as always a remarkable and humbling experience.  After my meeting with the Director I left the RV there and hopped a cab to an afternoon studio interview on National CBN News. Today would turn out to be a most memorable day.  After the interview, I cabbed it back to get the RV and then check into the hotel. I had been attempting to over the past several days work out parking near the hotel. Not much opened up with the local police so today I was driving around the block looking for possibilities. I spotted what I thought would be a good place and decided to make a U-turn. Well I leaped before I looked and in the shortness of the turn, swung the rear end into a very firmly planed light pole. Yes as you would guess I actually tore half the bumper, rear fiberglass and all off the back. I felt sick, all this driving with no major accidents and now one day before Arlington, this.

I decided to park and lick my wounds, figure out what to do next and check in. As I was headed to the counter I began looking for my wallet. Wasn’t in my pocket and could not locate it anywhere, now just as I was looking around the inside of the RV I received a call from Patty. She tells me someone in DC has my wallet. Unbelievable. Right as Im looking for it, someone found it. It just so happens I dropped it when I had payed the cab earlier in the day. Thank God, but now I have to go across town to get it.

I decided with that crisis solved I would work on the RV situation. I checked in (with a promise of paying), and asked if they knew any body shops nearby. I really believed I could figure out how to get this fixed, afterall, nothing has stopped me long enough on the journey to make me miss even one scheduled event. I knew God would certainly have to bless this situation also. So I made a call and the guy referred me to Wayne King. Just four miles down the road and I bring the beast to Wayne. Long story short, by 1230pm next day, Wayne had the RV back in amazing condition. I was floored. It did cost me $1000, but without him it would have never happened.

The Arizona mothers contingent happened to be arriving about the time of all the mishaps and I was picked up and escorted to the wallet and to the hotel for what turned out to be a very decent, despite the adversity, day.

Tomorrow: The final ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, 2pm

Blessings, George

Left the home of Maj Floro this morning and headed East 2.5 hours to a scheduled ceremony at Camp Lejeune headquarters, Jacksonville, NC.  This was the start of a long driving day. We met outside base with Kathy Moore’s team and were escorted in by security.  The event was held outdoors in front of the headquarters building on a beautiful morning. In attendance were many invited guests including active duty marines, veterans groups, patriot guard and Gold Star families. This was another memorable opportunity to share the message, spread awareness and for the North Carolina Chapter to present a personalized flag to the mother of GYSGT Darrell Boatman ~ 4 Nov 2005 ~ Iraq. An extremely moving and appreciated time as we continue to touch the lives of families everywhere.

My journey took me 90 minutes north to Greenville where I had an interview with local TV and newspaper. The town of nearby Ayden had recently adopted HR and will be dedicating the flag on Veteran’s day.

Another 4 hours to Richmond made for a long 8 hour day. I have left North Carolina, my 50th state and am now in final countdown to Arlington. I have three potential national news stories upcoming, CNN, FOX and CBN. I am praying one or all will come thru on Thursday.

Tomorrow: Planning for Arlington and late afternoon interview.

Blessings, George

Honor and Remember of North Carolina, chapter director Kathy Moore and her team have been working diligently in the state to prepare for my visit. This is the 50th state on my journey and the final stop before heading to Arlington for Thursday’s ceremony. The day began with breakfast at the Fullers and then off to Ray Price Harley Davidson to meet up with Kathy and some of the team. There was a ceremony scheduled at the state capitol at 10am and were going over as a group. The event was held in the Old Senate chambers and was well attended by an audience of about 100. Several Gold Star families were present as well as many family, friends, veterans organizations and patriotic citizens. Also we were privileged to have US Congressman Walter Jones and State Senator Davis. Sen Davis was instrumental in the passing of Bill 76 which adopted the HR Flag as an official symbol of remembrance for NC. The ceremony was very moving as each spoke about the importance of remembering. Kathy did a terrific job of organizing the day and helping me give tribute to 2LT TJ Meeks, KIA in 1943 WWII.

TJ’s two sisters were there to receive his personalized flag in such an honorable place with veterans from the past including the second world war.

Headed over to Ft Bragg for a ceremony on base at 3pm. Kathy had arranged for a gathering at the Family life center and it was well attended by Gold Star families, military personnel, Patriot guard and and many supporters. Ft Bragg was the military base where my son Tony was stationed and the moment was very emotional for me, so much so that I lost my train of thought and hesitated in my message several times. All in all we managed to push through and honor two special families with flags. Linda Ford in honor of her father WWII veteran PFC Dugue and Lori and Eric Southerland in tribute to her son Michael Rodriguez.

Words can never describe the powerful emotion of these moments and I am grateful that we can continue honoring in such a worthwhile and meaningful way.

Tonight spending the evening with Tony’s former chaplain before tomorrows busy day.

Tomorrow: Ceremony at Camp Lejeune, veterans meeting in Greenville.

Blessings, George

Today I was scheduled at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville. We had been planning this for months and I was warmly welcomed by the pastor and the congregation of over 1000. Trinity is very active in giving tribute to the military and today was a special military appreciation day. I was able to speak and share the mission not only to those in attendance but to a broadcast group of internet listeners and 52 military bases around the world. What a truly humbling opportunity which concluded with the presentation of a personalized flag to Darlene and George Houghton, Gold Star parents who lost their son Capt George-Bryan in 2009 due to an f16 accident. After the church service we went outside and dedicated a flagpole in George’s honor. Several other Gold Star families were in attendance and recognized today. A great great morning of tribute, fully embraced by all involved. Thanks to Jan for preparing for the leg of my journey.

We had a very warm and intimate lunch with the Houghtons and the Banks then I was on my way again on a 4 hour drive to Raleigh. Staying with Blue Star family the Fullers for the night.

Tomorrow: Ceremony at NC state capitol 10am, Ft Bragg 3pm.

Blessings, George