COMMUNITY
The United States Honor Flag: Touring America and Honoring Lives
At Grand Design RV, we believe in the freedom to explore and to live in the greatest country in the world. That’s why we partner with nonprofits like The Honor Network.
This Flag Day, it is important to remember service members that have fallen in our nation’s wars throughout history. The United States Honor Flag is a great reminder of those that have sacrificed everything so that we can be free.
What is the United States Honor Flag?
The United States Honor Flag is an American flag that travels the country to honor America’s first-responders and members of the U.S. armed forces, including law enforcement, fire, air, medical, and first-line workers. The United States Honor Flag honors their service and sacrifice – those that are still serving and those that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
The United States Honor Flag was originally gifted to The Honor Network President and Founder, Christopher Heisler, after he was doing philanthropic work in Texas. Christopher took a group of Texas first-responders to Ground Zero in October 2001 to attend a memorial to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. To thank him, the Texas House of Representatives sent him with an American flag and a Texas flag. During the memorial service, Christopher left behind the flag for surviving family members, however, a survivor urged him to keep the American flag to help keep the spirit of patriotism alive in America.
Fast forward to today, and that flag has been across the country (and even around planet Earth) to honor hundreds of our fallen heroes.
What does the United States Honor Flag mean to those that represent it?
According to the Executive Board of Directors Treasurer and Director of Compliance & Social Media, Cindy Heisler, representing the United States Honor Flag, “It doesn't matter if you're driving or if you're going to school or if you're playing sports - that's all a privilege. We're very spoiled in America, and I think a lot of times we take that for granted. Someday, America is going to forget, and that spirit of patriotism is going to go away. So, having The Honor Network and being a national organization, helping spread that spirit of patriotism to make sure that never goes away…that’s huge. It’s our passion.”
During her time with The Honor Network, Cindy Heisler has seen incredible things. Most notably is the strength and resiliency of the survivors. Not only have they persevered through tragedy, but they are also right there helping other survivors. To know grief like that and to still be there for somebody else takes great strength, and for that, Heisler is very appreciative.
What does the United States Honor Flag do for our communities?
The United States Honor Flag aims to educate the public about the privilege of living in America, about the tragedy of 9/11, and how the freedom we enjoy has come with a cost.
Cindy Heisler recalls many times where they have visited schools to discuss what happened on September 11th, 2001, and the students’ hands shoot straight up for them to ask, “What is 9/11?”
“It breaks my heart, because why aren’t we stopping to talk about that? We have a history, and our history makes us who we are today,” Heisler explains. “I think we should never forget our history. We must make sure that spirit of patriotism doesn’t disappear. We need to talk about being an American, being proud to be an American, and not be ashamed of that.”
With this sentiment in mind, the United States Honor Flag continues to tour the country - attending schools, RV rallies, and more - inspiring patriotism wherever they go.
What does freedom mean to you?
At Grand Design RV, we recognize that our freedom means that somebody has paid the price to allow us to do what we want to do. We have all that we have today because of the people who are out there protecting our streets, our country, and our liberties – and that includes those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. To the lives who are no longer here with us, we recognize that would not have all that we have today without your sacrifice, and we are infinitely grateful for your service.
We want to know what freedom means to you. How do you honor our fallen heroes? What do you do to enjoy the freedoms they’ve fought so hard to protect?
