Massachusetts SD 1924: An Act relative to recognition of the "Honor and Remember" flag in the Commonwealth

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1924 FILED ON: 1/18/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1868

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to recognition of the "Honor and Remember" flag in the Commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Donald F. Humason, Jr. Second Hampden and Hampshire
John C. Velis 4th Hampden

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1924 FILED ON: 1/18/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1868
By Mr. Humason, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1868) of Donald F. Humason, Jr.
and John C. Velis for legislation relative to recognition of the "Honor and Remember" flag in the
Commonwealth. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)
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An Act relative to recognition of the "Honor and Remember" flag in the Commonwealth.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Chapter 2 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
2 section:-
3 Section 64. (a) The Honor and Remember Flag created by Honor and Remember, Inc.
4 shall be designated as the symbol of the Commonwealth’s concern and commitment to honoring
5 and remembering the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their
6 lives while serving, or as a result of service, and their families. The Honor and Remember Flag’s
7 red field shall represent the blood shed by brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for
8 freedom; the Flag’s white field and border shall recognize the purity of that sacrifice; the Flag’s
9 blue star shall be a symbol of the active service in military conflicts that dates back to World
10 War I; the Flag’s gold star shall signify the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service who
11 will not return home and shall reflect the value of the life given; the folded Flag shall highlight
12 this nation’s final tribute to a fallen service member and a family’s sacrifice; and the Flag’s

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13 flame shall symbolize the eternal spirit of the departed. The Flag shall be a unifying symbol
14 recognizing this nation’s solemn debt to the estimated 1.6 million fallen service members
15 throughout history and the families and communities who mourn their loss.
16 (b) When flown on the same pole or pole formation as other flags, The Honor and
17 Remember flag shall be flown beneath any American Flag, flag of the Commonwealth, or
18 Prisoners of War/Missing in Action flag that may also be flown on said pole or formation. The
19 Honor and Remember flag shall never be larger than the American flag flown on the same pole
20 or in the same formation of poles.
21 (c) The Honor and Remember Flag should be in good condition if flown, free from rips,
22 stains, or significant fading.
23 (d) The Honor and Remember Flag shall be displayed by those wishing to honor and
24 remember the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their lives
25 while serving, or as a result of service, and their families on the following days:
26 (1) Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May;
27 (2) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;
28 (3) Flag Day, June 14;
29 (4) The Fourth of July;
30 (5) National POW/MIA Recognition Day;
31 (6) Veterans Day, November 11;
32 (7) Gold Star Mother's Day, the last Sunday of September; and

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33 (8) Whenever there is a military casualty in the Commonwealth.
34 (e) Nothing in this act shall be interpreted as a mandate to purchase or display an Honor
35 and Remember flag by any individual, organization, municipality, or agency.