SENATE DOCKET, NO. 183        FILED ON: 1/11/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2357

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John C. Velis

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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:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 183        FILED ON: 1/11/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2357

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2432 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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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:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 2 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 64. (a) The Honor and Remember Flag created by Honor and Remember, Inc. shall be designated as the symbol of the Commonwealth’s concern and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their lives while serving, or as a result of service, and their families. The Honor and Remember Flag’s red field shall represent the blood shed by brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for freedom; the Flag’s white field and border shall recognize the purity of that sacrifice; the Flag’s blue star shall be a symbol of the active service in military conflicts that dates back to World War I; the Flag’s gold star shall signify the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service who will not return home and shall reflect the value of the life given; the folded Flag shall highlight this nation’s final tribute to a fallen service member and a family’s sacrifice; and the Flag’s flame shall symbolize the eternal spirit of the departed. The Flag shall be a unifying symbol recognizing this nation’s solemn debt to the estimated 1.6 million fallen service members throughout history and the families and communities who mourn their loss.

(b) When flown on the same pole or pole formation as other flags, The Honor and Remember flag shall be flown beneath any American Flag, flag of the Commonwealth, or Prisoners of War/Missing in Action flag that may also be flown on said pole or formation. The Honor and Remember flag shall never be larger than the American flag flown on the same pole or in the same formation of poles.

(c) The Honor and Remember Flag should be in good condition if flown, free from rips, stains, or significant fading.

(d) The Honor and Remember Flag shall be displayed by those wishing to honor and remember the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their lives while serving, or as a result of service, and their families on the following days:

(1) Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May;

(2) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;

(3) Flag Day, June 14;

(4) The Fourth of July;

(5) National POW/MIA Recognition Day;

(6) Veterans Day, November 11;

(7) Gold Star Mother's Day, the last Sunday of September; and

(8) Whenever there is a military casualty in the Commonwealth.

(e) Nothing in this act shall be interpreted as a mandate to purchase or display an Honor and Remember flag by any individual, organization, municipality, or agency.