My Nonprofit Reviews

In the fall of 2015, a Navy friend of mine nominated my father and our family to receive an Honor and Remember Flag at the organization’s year end gala event. The reason for this special annual event was not only to recognize my father's sacrifice but to acknowledge his tragic loss by presenting a perpetual reminder to our family. Needless to say I was humbled, not only because my Navy friend remembered my father (my dad was a combat infantryman in WWII, Korea and Vietnam) but also the timing of this event since it was the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The presentation of the flag to our family was held on 7 December 2015 (another important day in the history of our Nation) along with other memorable Flag ceremonies for the other twelve families that lost a family member during our Nation’s wars.
My sister Alison was only 10 months old when our family was notified of our father’s death. She is 50 today. This was the first time in 50 years that she received a perpetual reminder of our father’s memory and there are no words that can express the gratitude and pride she felt on receiving this flag and hearing our father’s biography being read as the flag was folded and presented to her.
Each detail on the Honor and Remember Flag is a symbol with a distinct meaning. The Red Field represents the blood spilled by brave men and women in America's military throughout our history, who willingly gave their lives so that we all would remain free. The Blue Star represents active service in military conflict. This symbol originated with World War I, but on this flag, it signifies service through all generations from the American Revolution to present day. The White Border surrounding the gold star recognizes the purity of sacrifice. There is no greater price an American can pay than to give his or her life in service to our country. The Gold Star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service who will not return home. Gold reflects the value of the life that was given. The Folded Flag signifies the final tribute to an individual life that a family sacrificed and gave to the nation. The Flame is an eternal reminder of the spirit that has departed this life, yet burns on in the memory of all who knew and loved the fallen hero.
Mr. George Lutz, founder of the Honor and Remember Organization, has gone above and beyond the call of duty by making it his organization’s mission to place one personalized Honor and Remember Flag in the hands of immediate families who have lost a loved one in military service to America. This is commendable.
My family is eternally grateful to the Honor and Remember organization for their selfless duty and dedication to recognize our Nation’s fallen warriors and their families. Mr. Lutz’s organization does so much with so little and truly personifies what a nonprofit entity’s center of gravity should be: selflessness. Bravo Zulu, Mr. Lutz, you represent the best of the best!

Barry P. Creed, COLONEL, USA-Ret.
Son of Sergeant Bernard James Creed, KIA (Vietnam-1965)