On Tuesday, Governor Dunleavy signed Senate Bill 174 into law to honor Alaskans who have lost their lives in service to our country and communities. The bill, which passed both the House and Senate unanimously, would establish in statute the Honor and Remember and Honor and Sacrifice Flags as official state symbols and allow them to be flown at public buildings.
“I have a great deal of appreciation for David Caswell, who has championed the establishment of the Honor and Remember and Honor and Sacrifice flags in state law, allowing them to be flown at public buildings,” said bill sponsor Senator Jesse Bjorkman. “It is important to honor our friends and neighbors who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country or while protecting public safety on a local police or firefighting force. With this bill, we are also able to recognize the families who are left behind. Flying these flags is a way to honor their loss and respect their sacrifice.”
The Honor and Remember Flag recognizes those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces, and the Honor and Sacrifice Flag recognizes those who lost their lives while serving as a police officer or firefighter. Senate Bill 174 designates in state law the forms these flags must take, as well as where and when they may be flown. The bill does not mandate their display or allow a state employee to be required to report to work solely for the purpose of displaying the flags. As a result, there would be no cost to the State of Alaska to implement the bill.
Twenty-seven states have adopted the Honor and Remember Flag as their symbol of recognition for military service members who have died in the line of duty protecting and defending our liberties.