HB 1390 – AS INTRODUCED
2014 SESSION
01/04
HOUSE BILL 1390
AN ACT relative to Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers Service Flags and the Silver Star Service Flag.
SPONSORS: Rep. Baldasaro, Rock 5; Rep. LeBrun, Hills 32; Rep. Rideout, Coos 7; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Cataldo, Dist 6
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
This bill adopts the Gold Star Service Flag, the Blue Star Service Flag, and the Silver Star Service Flag as the official symbols of the state of New Hampshire to recognize and honor fallen members, active and reserve members, and wounded members of the armed forces.
This bill also establishes May 1 as Silver Star Day.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
14-2361
01/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen
AN ACT relative to Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers Service Flags and the Silver Star Service Flag.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Statement of Purpose. The general court finds that:
I. Since the Revolutionary War, more than 1,000,000 members of the United States armed forces have paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. As of January 31, 2013, 1,429,995 people were on active duty in the armed forces, with an additional 850,880 people in the 7 reserve components and more than 40 million veterans who have served our country so bravely and valiantly.
II. The contributions of those fallen members of the armed forces, members serving the United States armed forces on active duty and in the reserve components, and veterans who have been wounded or contracted serious illness or injury in a war zone deserve New Hampshire and national recognition.
III. Currently, there is a Gold Star Service Flag, a Blue Star Service Flag, and a Silver Star Service Flag which are official symbols recognized by Congress (36 U.S.C. section 176) that solely acknowledge members of the armed forces.
2 New Sections; Gold Star Service Flag, Blue Star Service Flag, and Silver Star Service Flag; Display. Amend RSA 3 by inserting after section 3-b the following new sections:
3:3-c Official Adoption of the Gold Star Service Flag, the Blue Star Service Flag, and the Silver Star Service Flag. The Gold Star Service Flag, the Blue Star Service Flag, and the Silver Star Service Flag which are approved by Congress are hereby adopted as this state’s emblems of the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States armed forces who have given their lives in the line of duty, who are serving on active duty and in the reserve component, or who have been wounded or contracted a serious illness or injury in a war zone.
3:3-d Display of Gold Star Service Flag, the Blue Star Service Flag, and the Silver Star Service Flag.
I. The Gold Star Service Flag, the Blue Star Service Flag, and the Silver Star Service Flag shall be displayed by the state daily at the New Hampshire veterans cemetery in Boscawen, above the state house in Concord immediately below the state flag when there is a New Hampshire casualty, and on the following days:
(a) Gold Star Mother’s Day, the first Sunday after Easter (Gold Star Service Flag).
(b) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May (Gold Star Service Flag).
(c) Independence Day, July 4.
(d) National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
(e) Veterans Day, November 11 (Blue Star Service Flag at the State House and Gold Star Service Flag at the veterans cemetery).
(f) Blue Star Mother’s Day, the first Sunday after Mothers Day (Blue Star Service Flag only).
(g) Silver Star Day, May 1 (Silver Star Service Flag only).
II. At the state house and veterans cemetery below the state flag, the Gold Star Service Flag shall be treated with dignity and respect. When displayed with the flag of the United States, the service flag shall be approximately equal size but not larger than the flag of the United States. The flag of the United States shall occupy the position of honor. At the state house only on the first Sunday after Mother’s Day the Blue Star Service Flag shall be displayed all day below the state flag.
III. When the Gold Star Service Flag, Blue Star Service Flag, and the Silver Star Service Flag are displayed other than by being flown from a staff under the state flag, they shall be suspended either horizontally or vertically at the discretion of the governor or adjutant general for military ceremonies.
IV. The governor shall authorize the posting of the Gold Star Service Flag to be flown at the state house and the veterans cemetery, on the day the veteran’s body is returned to New Hampshire and taken down the day after the veteran is buried.
V. The governor shall authorize the posting of the Silver Star Service Flag to be flown at the state house for 24 hours, on the day of the word that a New Hampshire veteran has been wounded on the battlefield.
VI. For cautions against the improper use of a service flag, users shall be guided by the provisions of 36 U.S.C. section 176 which apply to the flag of the United States of America.
VII. Flags shall be purchased and donated to the state house and the veterans cemetery by veterans organizations which shall also be responsible for replacing unserviceable service flags.
3 New Section; Silver Star Day. Amend RSA 4 by inserting after section 13-r the following new section:
4:13-s Silver Star Day. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling for the proper observance of May 1 which shall be known as Silver Star Day recognizing and honoring all veterans who have been wounded or contracted a serious illness or injury in a war zone. The governor shall urge the citizens of the state to observe this day with appropriate events.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.