Sacramento, CA—The California Senate unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the Killed in Action flag and encouraging its voluntary display at public buildings, veterans’ memorials, schools and other locations throughout the state.
Mother Lode Republican Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil introduced Senate Resolution 121, which recognizes the flag as a symbol honoring U.S. service members who were killed in combat. The resolution encourages Californians to display the flag on appropriate occasions, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day and military remembrance ceremonies. It also encourages its display at the State Capitol, state and local government buildings, veterans’ memorials, civic institutions and private residences. Alvarado-Gil cited an estimated 340,000 to 345,000 U.S. service members killed in action since World War I, including approximately 22,000 to 23,000 Californians. She also highlighted California’s military losses across conflicts, including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Killed in Action flag originated in a 1993 grassroots effort in California involving combat veterans and veteran motorcycle riders. The flag was created as a separate symbol from the POW/MIA flag, which honors service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action. The Killed in Action flag includes the words “killed in action,” “the brave and the free,” and “America remembers.” During remarks on the Senate floor, Alvarado-Gil said the resolution is intended to recognize military personnel who died in combat and encourage greater public awareness of their service.
“This resolution simply and powerfully honors the Killed in Action flag as an emblem of sacrifice, remembrance, and respect for every member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed in combat,” Alvarado-Gil said.
Alvarado-Gil also pointed to the number of veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star families in her Senate district, which includes communities in the Mother Lode and Central Valley. The resolution does not require Californians or local governments to display the Killed in Action flag. Its provisions encourage voluntary display.
Alvarado-Gil thanked her bipartisan coauthors and Senate colleagues following the unanimous vote.
