HB142

As a Gold Star mom, I believe all of our fallen soldiers would be honored well and deserve any and all respect from our nation with this beautiful flag. Thank you Mom of SPC Brandon Martinez

As a Gold Star Family Member, I am writing in strong support of this bill and urge the State of New Hampshire to fly the Honor and Remember Flag. If you truly support our military, there is no reason to oppose this bill. This legislation designates the Honor and Remember Flag as an official symbol of remembrance for those who died in the line of duty or as a result of their service. Since 1900, nearly one million members of the U.S. Armed Forces have lost their lives in service to our country, yet New Hampshire currently lacks a state symbol to honor these fallen heroes and their families. The Honor and Remember Flag, created by Honor and Remember Inc., is a fitting tribute to New Hampshire’s brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. The bill ensures that this flag is displayed at key times of the year, such as Memorial Day, Gold Star Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, the Fourth of July, and Veteran’s Day, at the state veterans cemetery and the State House. It’s a powerful and necessary gesture to honor the service and sacrifice of our heroes and their families, and it is long overdue. I urge the State of New Hampshire to pass this bill and fly the Honor and Remember Flag with pride.

Dear Legislature committee, Thank you for hearing bill HR 142. My name is Karen Hudson Lounsbury. At 18, my son was Active-duty Army, he was killed when hit by a car at his first duty station, Ft. Hood TX. My brother was active-duty Army, then National Guard and a Police officer when he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 50. I won’t go into detail on how hard this has been on my family and friends, I will tell you that Honor and Remember has included both my son and brother in the Run to Remember, it has assisted our family, allowing us to honor them as the runners stop at each sign. A moment we will treasure forever. On August 15-17, 2025, the run will pay tribute to every New England Fallen Service member who died serving our country. I invite you to come and see how this honor helps the families. I support the bill requesting New Hampshire to formally recognize and honor our fallen service members and those of us left behind. I would like to see the Honor and Remember flag flown on American Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, Gold Star Wives Day and Memorial Day. This would be a tribute to all those who have served our country. I appreciate your time and dedication to our fallen, Sincerely, Karen Hudson Lounsbury 6178994489 khlounsbury@yahoo.com Chester, NH President, Department of NH American Gold Star Mothers Inc. Proud other of PFC Bryan C Lounsbury deployed to heaven 1/21/2008

Chairman Gregory Hill, Vice Chairman Vanessa Sheehan, Committee Assistant Karen Davis, and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding New Hampshire HB 142, which seeks to designate the Honor and Remember Flag as a state symbol of remembrance and establish its display at the State House on select days. Today, I had the privilege of attending the hearing alongside several Gold Star Family members who spoke in support of this bill. I listened to both those who support and those who oppose it. I want to acknowledge the thoughtful discussions that have taken place, the questions that have been raised, and the concerns expressed. I hope to offer clarity, insight, and maybe a path forward. For background, since 2020, I have served as Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator for New Hampshire. My role is to provide consistent support and resources to Families of the Fallen across all branches and components—Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard. This is accomplished primarily by offering Surviving Families personalized assistance, addressing benefit-related questions, and connecting Survivors with a supportive community. That supportive community is where this legislation falls into my mission of service. The testimony you heard today from Survivors underscores a reality that cannot be compared to any other form of grief or loss. When a loved one dies in military service—whether in combat, training, or due to service-related injuries—the loss is not just personal. It is intimately tied to national service and sacrifice. For every family I have had the responsibility and honor of serving, the flag that draped their loved one’s coffin will never be unfolded to fly again. That flag remains folded, because it is a final tribute, a permanent symbol of sacrifice, and a promise that the fallen will never be forgotten. To understand why the Honor and Remember Flag is needed, one must first understand the meaning of the folds of the American flag at a military funeral. The folding of the American flag during a military funeral is a sacred act. Each of the 13 folds carries a deeply symbolic meaning: 1. First Fold – Represents life. 2. Second Fold – Signifies belief in eternal life. 3. Third Fold – Honors those who served to protect our country. 4. Fourth Fold – Symbolizes the nation’s trust in God. 5. Fifth Fold – Pays tribute to the country. 6. Sixth Fold – Recognizes allegiance to the U.S. 7. Seventh Fold – Honors the military. 8. Eighth Fold – Remembers those who have passed into eternity. 9. Ninth Fold – Honors mothers, who give life. 10. Tenth Fold – Honors fathers, who guide and protect their families. 11. Eleventh Fold – Represents faith and Judaism. 12. Twelfth Fold – Represents faith and Christianity. 13. Thirteenth Fold – The final fold, leaving only the blue field with stars, symbolizing freedom and sacrifice. Once folded into its triangular shape, resembling a cocked hat from the American Revolution, it is presented to the Next of Kin with the solemn words: “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.” This moment is sacred. To unfold that flag and fly it again would be to unravel those 13 folds, undoing the solemn vow of our nation. This is where the Honor and Remember Flag differs from the American Flag in honoring the Fallen. As Gold Star mother Jean Durgin testified today, the Honor and Remember Flag is made to be flown. It is a living tribute to the service members we have lost. It does not replace the American Flag. It does not diminish the American Flag. It serves a unique purpose—recognizing families of the fallen. The American Flag represents many things to many people. That is its greatest strength. It symbolizes freedom, service, unity, and national pride. The Honor and Remember Flag, however, has one meaning only: to honor those who died in service to this country. One of the primary concerns raised today is that no Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) have formally endorsed this bill. Additionally, the State Veteran Advisory Council (SVAC) has openly opposed it. I want to be very clear: This is not a Veterans issue—it is a Survivor issue. While Veterans and Survivors are deeply connected, their experiences are not the same. It is an indisputable fact the experiences of Veterans and Survivors are distinct, though deeply connected. Veteran Service Organizations play a critical role in advocating for Veterans, but this bill is not about Veterans—it is about Survivors. To require Veteran and Veteran Service Organization approval for Survivor recognition misplaces the decision-making power. I also want to refute a statement made by the representative of SVAC. This is the 12th time Surviving Families have come before the NH Legislature asking for you to recognize this flag. This iteration did not come from an out of state entity. This effort was spearheaded by NH Gold Star Mother Nancy Marston who reached out to her state rep looking for assistance in moving this effort along. To insinuate other wise is a grave mischaracterization. To further reinforce that this flag serves a specific and complementary purpose to the American Flag, I recommended to the bill sponsors that its display be limited to days that specifically honor fallen service members, rather than broader military recognition days. Gold Star Mother Nancy Marston brought this up today in her testimony. As a recap the days are as follows: Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) – National remembrance of the fallen. New Hampshire Gold Star Mother’s Day (First Sunday after Easter) – Recognizing Mothers who lost children in service. For the Committees reference since it seemed that no one was aware of this day it was established via N.H. Rev. Stat. § 4:13-h - The governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling for the proper observance of the first Sunday after Easter which shall be known as Gold Star Mother's Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who have lost sons or daughters while on duty in the United States armed forces. The governor shall urge the citizens of the state to observe this day with appropriate events. National Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day (Last Sunday in September) – Honoring all Gold Star Families. By aligning this legislation with dates explicitly honoring the fallen, we have eliminated confusion about its purpose, addressed concerns raised by VSOs and ensured that this flag is used only for its intended purpose. This is their loss. This is their reality. This is their voice. To require approval from those who have not shared this experience is misplaced at best and dismissive at worst. I respectfully urge the committee to support HB 142 with the proposed modifications, ensuring that New Hampshire continues to honor its fallen service members in a way that is meaningful to reflects the wishes of those families left behind. Thank you for your time and consideration. Stephanie M Ouellette Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator stephanie.m.ouellette.ctr@army.mil

The notes are often inaccurate, or aren't available until after a bill has been heard in committee. There's certaibly room for improvement there

To Whom It May Concern, My name is Jared Mostue, and I reside on New Castle Street in Concord. On January 10, 2015, my cousin, Special Warfare Operator (SO1) William Blake Marston, who grew up in Bedford and Concord, was tragically killed during a training exercise with his Navy SEAL squad. Since his passing, the Honor and Remember Flag has flown at my Aunt Nancy’s home. This flag serves as a source of comfort for those who have lost a loved one in service, as well as providing an opportunity for us to honor and share the stories of those we’ve lost. I distinctly remember one day when the flag was flying at my Aunt’s house. I was on the porch with my young son when a couple walking their dog down Auburn Street noticed the flag and asked about it, as they hadn’t seen it before. I was able to share a few stories of my cousin and explain why the flag was flying. It is our responsibility to ensure that our fallen heroes are remembered. I am confident that this flag will continue to fly across the state, regardless of the outcome of these proceedings. However, I believe now is the time for it to be officially flown as a state symbol of remembrance. This is not to diminish any other flag that flies, but to demonstrate to New Hampshire Gold Star Families that our government truly and deeply values and honors the memory of our loved ones who now watch over us. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jared Mostue

This common sense bill is required to reset NH on a proper understanding of the human person and to protect the rights thereof.

Chairman: Gregory Hill Vice Chairman: Vanessa Sheehan Committee Assistant: Karen Davis Members of the Committee Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding HB 142, which seeks to designate the Honor and Remember Flag as a state symbol of remembrance and establish its display at the State House on select days. I want to acknowledge the thoughtful discussions that have taken place regarding this legislation. I also want to recognize the concerns raised and emphasize that this flag has a very specific and meaningful purpose—to honor service members who died while serving or as a result of their service. I became a Gold Star family member on March 22nd, 2009. There was a knock at the door that informed my mother that on behalf of a grateful nation, they regretted to inform her that my brother had been killed while serving in the Now Zad province of Afghanistan. That moment profoundly and irrevocably changed the path of not only her life but the lives of everyone who loved my brother. Being a Gold Star Family member carries a unique and profound weight that is distinct from other types of grief and loss. When a loved one dies in military service, whether in combat, during training, or as a result of service-related injuries or conditions, the loss is not just personal but deeply tied to national service and sacrifice. This is why it’s so important to listen to Survivors themselves when discussing recognition, remembrance, and the symbols that represent their loss. Their grief is personal, but their loved one's sacrifice is shared by the nation. One of the main concerns expressed during previous discussions is that no Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) have formally endorsed this bill. While understandable, I want to be very clear: This is not a Veterans issue—it is a Survivor issue. New Hampshire Surviving Family Members - those who have lost loved ones in military service, are the ones asking for this recognition. The experiences of Veterans and Survivors are distinct, though deeply connected. While VSOs play a critical role in advocating for Veterans, we must listen to the voices of those directly impacted by this unique loss when considering a symbol that reflects their sacrifice. Survivors should not need the approval of Veterans to be heard. When legislative or symbolic recognition efforts for Survivors are made contingent on Veteran approval, it misplaces the decision-making power. Survivors are the ones living with the loss, and their voices should be the primary ones shaping how they are recognized and supported. To require or seek Veteran approval on issues that solely impact Survivors is to silence those who have already sacrificed beyond measure. Listening to Survivors without requiring validation from others is not just the right thing to do, it is the respectful and honorable thing to do. Survivors are telling you what they need. It is time to listen to them. I appreciate that the committee has taken the time to consider how this legislation fits within New Hampshire’s existing framework for military remembrance. I would like to directly address a few key concerns: Some have expressed concern that the Honor and Remember Flag is attempting to replace or diminish the American Flag. This is not the case. The American Flag remains the ultimate symbol of national unity, reverence, and gratitude for service. The Honor and Remember Flag serves a distinct and complementary purpose— specifically recognizing the families and the individual sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service. To further reinforce this distinction, I recommend limiting the flag’s display at the State House to days that specifically honor fallen service members, rather than broader military recognition days. I propose: • Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) • New Hampshire Gold Star Mother’s Day (First Sunday after Easter) • National Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day (Last Sunday in September) By aligning this legislation with dates that are explicitly about honoring the fallen, we eliminate any confusion about its purpose. This adjustment also directly addresses concerns raised by VSOs and ensures that this flag is being used only for its intended purpose. The recommendations outlined above represent a compromise that respects both Survivor Families and the broader military community. • It ensures the flag is flown only on days that directly align with its purpose. • It reassures VSOs and legislators that this flag does not compete with or replace the American Flag. • It keeps the focus where it belongs—on honoring the fallen and listening to their families. Surviving Families are simply asking to be seen, heard, and acknowledged in a way that is meaningful and impactful to them. They should not have to seek approval from others to do so. This is their experience, their loss, and their voice. I respectfully urge the committee to support HB 142 with the proposed modifications, ensuring that New Hampshire continues to honor its fallen service members in a way that reflects the wishes of those left behind. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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