Napoleon once observed, “A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.”
Indeed, colored cloth military decorations have long inspired prodigious and brave efforts on behalf of countries, causes, or flags.
Today, such efforts occur not only by soldiers on battlefields but also by mothers—Gold Star Mothers — in New Hampshire legislative hearing rooms.
A Gold Star Mother (or Father) is someone who lost a son (or daughter) in a military conflict. After World War II, America tragically claimed almost half a million Gold Star Families. It’s a group that no one wants to join, a cursed club into which members are thrust by fate.
Families keep Gold Star memories and spirits alive in various ways, via monuments, photographs, reunions, and by naming newborns after lost heroes.
And also via flags.
Most prominently, the American flag, of course, but also by other banners as well. One such banner is the “Honor and Remember Flag,” created by Gold Star Father George Lutz after his son Tony was killed by a sniper in Iraq in 2005
If a family desires, the H&R Flag can be emblazoned with the name of a lost hero. Most states have officially sanctioned and recognized the H&R Flag as a standard for keeping memories and spirits alive.
But New Hampshire has not. For years, Granite State Gold Star families unsuccessfully sought legislative sanction for their colors.
Ironically, while most citizens certainly sympathize with Gold Star families, a segment of our veteran community is discomforted by the H&R Flag and successfully prevented NH from joining other states in recognizing the banner in statute.
“All we need is the American flag,” is an oft-repeated refrain.
“Veterans don’t want this flag,” claimed a prominent former Marine, who helped block legislative efforts to recognize the flag.
The truth is, many—probably most—veterans are fine with the H&R Flag.
Opponents claim that flag recognition allowing it to occasionally fly over the State House would set a precedent, allowing for other emblems to be hoisted in Concord. But a process has already sanctioned other flags, such as the POW Flag, as well as our service flags.
For example, the USMC standard flies above our State House every November 10—the Marine Corps Birthday.
Flags for me, but not for thee.
To be sure, some H&R flags also recognize veterans later lost after surviving wounds both physical and psychic.
Opponents of the flag regularly blocked Gold Star moms in the N.H. House. So, years ago supporters submitted the measure through the State Senate, where it passed unanimously—only to be again stymied by the lower body.
This year’s Flag Bill, HB142, which I was proud to sponsor, again received a negative House Committee recommendation and went to the House floor, where there was a motion to table. Then Gold Star dad Skip Rollins (R-Newport) successfully spoke against said motion. Debate followed, and a floor amendment was approved, which simply called for the flag to fly once a year on Gold Star Mothers and Families Day in September. Families rejoiced when the full House finally voted to send it on to the Senate.
At a subsequent Senate hearing several Gold Star moms pleaded with solons to fairly consider the H&R Flag. One mom testified while clutching her son’s flag, as many tears were shed. At this writing, it remains uncertain whether HB142 will finally get to the Governor’s desk. One concern involved the protocols and logistics of raising a new flag. My response: Consider how the service flags are hoisted. The Air Force Flag gets its moment on Sept. 18. Just hoist the H&R Flag the same way on the same pole on Gold Star Mothers and Families Day on Sept. 28.
That assumes the State Senate gives the measure a chance.
HB142 is a truly bipartisan bill, with sponsors from both parties from both legislative bodies who hope for a chance to come together to honor, remember, and commemorate.
And while our Gold Star moms may not be as strong as Napoleon’s soldiers, they are no less brave.
