Rep. Lincoln Davis Wants Monthly Honor for War Dead
By: Andy Sher
Chattanooga Times-Free Press
May 31, 2004

Washington- Waiting to board a transport plane during a congressional trip to Iraq this spring, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., watched as the flag-draped coffin of a U.S. serviceman was loaded onto the C-130 aircraft.

"It was very touching. It was very somber," Rep. Davis said.

The event inspired the lawmaker to craft legislation requiring that the main flag over the U.S. Capitol be lowered to half-staff once a month to memorialize service members killed in U.S. wars and conflicts.

The nation should honor its war dead more than just once a year, he said.

"This is just a small gesture that would honor the sacrifices that these brave men and women have made to our nation and the spirit of freedom," Rep. Davis said.

The resolution stops short of ordering similar action at other government buildings, but Rep. Davis would like to see the idea catch on nationwide.

He said more than 1 million service members have died in wars or conflicts since 1775.

The proposal has the enthusiastic support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said national VFE spokesman Joe Davis.

"Absolutely, we support that, and we encourage all federal agencies and state and local governments to follow suit," said Mr. Davis, who is no relation to the congressman. "Memorial Day is more than just a three day weekend."

The national VFW's senior vice commander in chief, John Furgess of Tennessee, said honoring slain soldiers' sacrifice by lowering flags on a monthly basis would be "something that keeps the issue before the American people. And that's something that's always been a key point. We take so much for granted."

Thirty-nine other Democratic and Republican lawmakers have signed on to the resolution, including Reps. John Duncan and Zach Wamp, both R-Tenn.

Rep. Davis had hoped to get the resolution's language included in a Defense Department authorization bill, but another committee is claiming jurisdiction over the issue.