TAPS Family American Flag Book

American Flags for Gold Star Families

The Families of America’s Fallen Heroes have a special relationship with the American flag. Their loved ones raised their right hand standing before it and pledged to protect it with their life and defend the nation it represents. Their heroes wore the American flag on their uniform and stood at attention each day to honor it. When they made the ultimate sacrifice, they were laid to rest in a casket draped with the American flag.

During the 46th Presidential Inauguration, American flags were proudly displayed on the National Mall. These flags, standing strong and waving in the wind, represented American military service and sacrifice and also stood in remembrance of all those who died from the pandemic that swept the nation.

These American flags had a mission during the Inauguration and when that mission was complete, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors was honored to receive a set of them. These gifted American flags then began a new journey with a new mission. Fifty-six of the flags that stood proudly on the National Mall during the Presidential inauguration now reside in the homes of grieving families of America's fallen military heroes representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Below are the graphics from a commemorative book sharing the journey of these magnificent American flags, representing all Gold Star Families, given to TAPS from the Inauguration of our Commander in Chief and then proudly presented to surviving loved ones of our military fallen to honor, remember and celebrate their heroes. Each of these flags has a new purpose and a new mission: to give comfort to a grieving family on behalf of a grateful nation.

Select an image to enlarge.

Alabama

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Petty Officer First Class Kantrell Hires
United States Coast Guard

Alaska

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Brigadier General Tom Carroll
Army National Guard

Family of SSG Loleni Gandy, American Samoa

Alabama

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Staff Sergeant Loleni Gandy
United States Army Reserve

Arizona

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Major Libado Caraveo
United States Army Reserve

Arkansas

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Trey Horne
Army National Guard

California

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Commander Scott Kim
United States Coast Guard

Colorado

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Corporal Brandon Kirton
United States Army

Connecticut

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Gregory McCoy
United States Air Force

Family of Master at Arms 2 Joshua Lipstein

Delaware

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Lipstein
United States Navy

Florida

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Kenneth Daniel Reich, Jr.
United States Marine Corps

Georgia

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Lance Corporal Omoro Z. Mitchell
United States Marine Corps

Guam

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Corporal Jaygee Meluat
United States Marine Corps

Hawaii

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Staff Sergeant Jason Ignacio
United States Army

Idaho

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jon Hartway
United States Army

Illinois

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
1st Lieutenant Daniel Wiess
United States Army

Indiana

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Second Class Gunners Mate Petty Officer Malik Christopher
United States Navy

Iowa

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
First Sergeant Martin Lawrence
United States Army

Kansas

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Command Sergeant Major James Hubbard, Jr.
United States Army Reserve

Kentucky

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Timothy Anderson
United States Army

Louisiana

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Major David Yaggy
United States Marine Corps

Maine

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Senior Airman William Hannigan, III
Air National Guard

Maryland

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Private First Class Justin Davis
United States Army

Massachusetts

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Senior Airman Deanna Richards
United States Air Force

Michigan

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Corporal Jordan Goode
United States Army

Minnesota

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Paul Henri
United States Army

Mississippi

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Michael Turner
United States Air Force

Missouri

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Lieutenant William Gilbert
United States Navy

Montana

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Steven Cadmus
United States Army

Nebraska

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Germaine L. Debro
United States Army Reserve

Nevada

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Aviation Boatswains Mate Fuel Third Class Reco Peevy, Jr.
United States Navy

New Hampshire

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Andrew Nicol
United States Army

New Jersey

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Grace Oey
United States Army

New Mexico

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Major Phyllis Pelky
United States Air Force

New York

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Lieutenant Colonel Jaimie Leonard
United States Army

Family of Staff Sergeant Jose Melbert, Sr

North Carolina

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Staff Sergeant José Melbert, Sr.
United States Army

North Dakota

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Staff Sergeant David Wyatt
United States Marine Corps

Northern Mariana Islands

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Lance Corporal Stephen Austin Litulumar
United States Marine Corps

Ohio

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Arthur Mora, Jr.
United States Army

Oklahoma

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Francis Imlay
United States Air Force

Oregon

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Adan Gonzales, Jr.
United States Marine Corps

Pennsylvania

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
First Lieutenant Demetrius Frison
United States Army

Family of Sergeant Geraldo Andre Mora Cruz

Puerto Rico

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Geraldo André Mora Cruz
United States Army

Rhode Island

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Matthew August
United States Army

South Carolina

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Sloss
Army National Guard

South Dakota

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Mason
United States Army

Tennessee

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Engineman Petty Officer 2nd Class Sebastian Woodard
United States Navy

Texas

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant Cesar B. Ruiz
United States Marine Corps Reserve

U.S. Virgin Islands

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Staff Sergeant Lyle D. Turnbull
United States Army

Utah

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Jordan Pierson
United States Air Force

Vermont

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Sergeant First Class Larry Garner
United States Army

Virginia

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain Humayun Khan
United States Army

Washington

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Paige
United States Navy

Washington, D.C.

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Captain David Wilson
United States Navy

West Virginia

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Corporal Andrew White and Staff Sergeant Robert White
United States Marine Corps and United States Army

Wisconsin

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Lieutenant Colonel William Schroeder
United States Air Force

Family of Chief Petty Officer Stephen Nave

Wyoming

Proudly represented by the surviving family of
Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Stephen Nave
United States Navy

Book Cover

Proudly presented to the President of the United States
by TAPS
TAPS Family American Flag Book

These bereaved military families had already received the folded flag that draped the casket of their loved one, presented on behalf of a grateful nation. Now they have another American flag, one that stood strong on the National Mall representing the best of our country, the transition of power in a democracy their loved ones served to protect and defend.

The 56 families in this book represent all those grieving the loss of a military loved one, regardless of cause or location of death.

About TAPS Mission