Honor and Remember Recognizes
The Sacrifice Of Every Family
Our organization pays tribute to all military lives lost, not only while serving on active duty but also as a result of serving
Mission & Purpose
This organization is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of America's fallen military service members and their families. We recognize all military deaths, whether during active duty or due to their service, across all wars, conflicts, and branches of the military from the nation's beginning. Our main way of showing this ongoing respect is through the Honor and Remember Flag. This flag is meant to fly continuously as a visible reminder of the lives lost defending our freedoms.
Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.
Our Origins
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 born.
Our Goals
To stay true to our mission and goals, we continue to significantly impact this nation by constantly honoring our fallen military heroes and their families. In short, our objectives can be summarized in four words:
Establish
To establish the Honor and Remember Flag as our national symbol of remembrance and promote its adoption by Congress, states, and communities. We seek to build support from the military, veterans' organizations, and civic organizations.
Educate
To educate the nation about the Honor and Remember Flag and its importance for Gold Star families. We want to shift attitudes and increase recognition for those who sacrificed for our freedom. Our goal is to encourage.
Present
To present a personalized Honor and Remember Flag to the immediate families who have lost a loved one in military service to America—whether during service or as a result of it, across all generations.
Comfort
To build a lasting, supportive relationship with each Gold Star family through annual and ongoing programs that emphasize remembrance. By fostering partnerships that encourage communication, healing, and hope.
Making a Difference
Donating, sponsoring, and volunteering each play a crucial role in advancing our mission to honor America’s fallen military service members and their families through the Honor and Remember Flag.
Donating provides essential financial support for the production, distribution, and promotion of the Honor and Remember Flag. Contributions enable us to reach more families, educate the public about the flag’s significance, and fund programs that offer support and recognition to the loved ones of those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
Other Ways To Help
Share the Mission
Share our commitment to honoring fallen military heroes and their families!
Sign the Petition
Your support will help keep their sacrifices remembered. Add your voice today!
Sponsor An Event
Partner with us to host events that honor their sacrifices and support our community!
Content
Content
Content
Open Letter Sent to The Soldiers At Tony's Side That Day
Written by George Lutz
Dear Downrange Soldiers,
On December 29th 2005, a snipers bullet claimed the life of our son Tony. This was the most difficult day in our family's life, I cannot imagine a more tragic one. And as difficult a day it was for us, our heart breaks for those of you who were by his side. You see we know how Tony affected lives, how much of an impression he made on everyone he touched. That day we not only lost a son, but you lost a friend and a brother. We do not know all of the facts, but we do know that he died surrounded by those who loved him.
Tony was a man who tried to lighten every situation and I am sure there were many times you could remember when he made you smile or laugh out loud. He was dedicated to his family a good husband and father and spent every available minute communicating back home. And when he was home, loving on his wife and children. Some of you remember last summer when his daughter Ava was born and how he so appreciated being given the time to leave training to be by his wife's side.
He was a good soldier, rarely complaining and excited at every phase of his training. Being a former runner he especially loved PT, accepted the challenges of AIT, language school and was particularly proud of his Army and German jump wings.
Tony strongly believed in what he was doing, believed in the mission of liberating the Iraqi people and in his relationship with you his military family. He knew why he was there and even though he fully expected to return, he was prepared for the sacrifice. We want you to know that we firmly believe that he died fighting for those beliefs, and in no way hold anyone responsible for his death. There was nothing anyone could have done to more fully protect him. War breeds casualties and many thousands of moms and dads have given their children for freedom's cause. I would like to think that Tony's death would bring an end, but we know it hasn't. Others have since given their lives and many more will most definitely follow.
We are proud that he was a soldier not only in the American army but also in the army of God. Tony had a strong faith in his savior Jesus Christ and always knew his future reward. In fact one of the last words he wrote to me was "Dad, don't worry, God is literally my shield". He knew where he would spend eternity and lived that knowledge everyday. God had a purpose for Tony's life and took him that day; nothing could have prevented it. I know that any one of you would have willingly taken his place if possible, but conversely know this as truth, that Tony would have run to take that bullet for you. And that day he did.
His mother and I want to be sure you know that we pray for your safety everyday. Keep your eyes open, be vigilant at every moment, win that war and come back safely to your families. But especially, seek after God's purpose in your lives. When your mission is completed please call or write, our home is open and we welcome a visit from you. We would love to hear how Tony's life or death was meaningful to you.
God Bless each of you, we cannot thank you enough for your service. Courage and Honor.
Very Respectfully
George Lutz
PO Box 16384
Chesapeake, VA 23328
Email: contact@honorandremember.org
Phone: (757) 598-3524
Fax: (757) 204-4726
