New Book Chronicles a
Father's Sacred Journey to Honor America's Fallen Heroes
Foreword by Dennis Miller
Gold Star father George A. Lutz has
written a book that is a unique tribute to his son, Tragedy
to Tribute: One Father's Grief Fuels a Passionate Journey to Change the Mindset
of a Nation. It is a deeply personal and powerfully
patriotic book that traces his journey from heartbreaking loss to a national
mission of remembrance. This release marks the 20th anniversary of the death of
his son, Corporal George "Tony" Lutz II, who was killed in Fallujah,
Iraq, on December 29, 2005.
On that fateful day, Corporal Tony Lutz was killed by a sniper's
bullet while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq. The devastating news shattered his
family and friends, plunging them into shock, grief, and an unimaginable loss -
a pain familiar to countless other families across the nation. In the months
following Tony's funeral, his father George visited other families who had lost
loved ones in the war. What he discovered was a powerful, unspoken bond - a
fellowship forged by sacrifice and shared sorrow, stretching back generations
to the American Revolution, when the first patriots gave their lives for our
country's freedom.
As the grief of these families turned to acceptance, one
question echoed in their minds as it did in Tony's family: Will their loved
ones truly be remembered? Determined to find an answer, George set out to
discover a specific symbol that America used to honor military fallen in a way
that would endure. Thus, the 'Honor and Remember' Flag was born - a definitive
beacon of appreciation to forever recognize those who made the ultimate
sacrifice for their country.
George's mission of unification led him across all fifty states,
grieving with thousands of Gold Star families, walking through the halls of
Congress and speaking to whomever would listen. His tireless advocacy ignited a
movement for national remembrance, fighting for the recognition and respect
that every fallen warfighter and their families deserve.
What began in the wake of unimaginable devastation has grown
into a nationwide movement. In Tragedy to Tribute, Lutz shares how he
transformed his grief into purpose, creating the Honor and Remember Flag - a
unifying symbol to publicly recognize every U.S. military service member who
has died in the line of duty. Establishing the flag as our nation's unified expression
of appreciation became a national mission. Through George's tireless efforts,
the flag has become a powerful emblem of sacrifice, family, and enduring
gratitude.
With a moving foreword by cultural commentator and longtime
supporter Dennis Miller, the book opens with a heartfelt reflection on Lutz's
extraordinary resolve: "As George navigated the depths of despair involved
in the five stages of grief, with God's help, he entered a sixth stage: an
indefatigability about never letting Tony and his sacred brethren ever be
forgotten."
In Tragedy to Tribute, Lutz invites readers into the most
sacred spaces of loss and healing - from the knock on the door that changed his
life forever, to the quiet hours of anguish, and ultimately to the birth of a
national movement. It is a story of faith, family, purpose, and the sacred
power of remembrance.
Today, the Honor and Remember Flag flies proudly across the
country:
· Legislated as an official state symbol in 28
U.S. states;
· Recognized in federal bill H.R.1363;
· Seen at NASCAR's Memorial Weekend tribute, NHL
Playoffs and Norwegian Cruise Line vessels;
· Displayed at corporate offices, state
buildings, town squares, schools, churches, and homes; and
· Presented in thousands of ceremonies to Gold
Star families across the nation.
"This book is not just about Tony," says his proud
father. "It's about every son and daughter who never came home - and every
mother, father, spouse, and sibling who carries that sacrifice in their hearts
forever. It's about a promise: We will never forget the sacrifices they made
for our freedom."
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: George Lutz is the founder of Honor and Remember, Inc., a
national nonprofit dedicated to permanent public recognition of every U.S.
service member who died in the line of duty. A Gold Star father and passionate
advocate, Lutz has traveled to all fifty states, bringing honor, healing, and
unity to thousands of military families across generations. Go to:
TragedytoTribute.org
