In her floor remarks, Senator Alvarado-Gil emphasized the profound cost of freedom borne by American service members. She noted that an estimated 340,000 to 345,000 U.S. service members have been killed in action since World War I, including approximately 22,000 to 23,000 Californians. She highlighted California’s losses across major conflicts: roughly 1,932 combat-related fatalities in World War I, more than 17,000 in World War II, 1,743 confirmed killed in action in the Korean War, thousands more in Vietnam, and more than 500 in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan following September 11, 2001.

The senator recounted the flag’s origins in a 1993 grassroots effort in California led by combat veterans and veteran motorcycle riders. While the POW/MIA flag honors prisoners of war and those missing in action, the creators sought a dedicated symbol for those confirmed killed in action. The Killed in Action flag bears the words “killed in action,” “the brave and the free,” and “America remembers.” It has been embraced by veterans’ organizations, military families, Gold Star families, patriotic groups, and local governments nationwide. In 2017, New Jersey became the first state to formally recognize and require its display over the State House and municipal buildings.

“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,” Senator Alvarado-Gil stated. “It encourages the voluntary display of the flag at the State Capitol, on state and local public buildings, at veterans’ memorials, schools, civic institutions, and private residences throughout California. It further encourages Californians to fly the flag on appropriate occasions, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, and other military remembrance ceremonies, as a visible expression of gratitude for those who gave their lives in service to the United States.”

Senator Alvarado-Gil underscored the special pride taken in Senate District 4, home to countless veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star families. She noted local traditions such as the Modesto Veterans Day Parade and her annual recognition of outstanding veterans, including the District’s Veteran Woman of the Year.

Drawing on her personal commitment to veterans and military families through ongoing engagement with veterans’ organizations, Gold Star families, and local remembrance events, the senator observed that the Killed in Action flag fills a meaningful gap by giving voice and visibility to those who did not come home.

She expressed gratitude to her bipartisan coauthors and thanked her colleagues for supporting the resolution.

“This resolution is simple but important. It is our opportunity to say, clearly and publicly, that California remembers. It is our chance to honor the thousands of Californians and hundreds of thousands of Americans who gave their last full measure of devotion, and to encourage communities across our state to display the Killed in Action flag with pride and gratitude.”