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The Senate gave final legislative passage Monday to a bill that would create a new "state emblem of service and sacrifice of lives lost by the military in defense of our freedom."
It voted 26-0 to endorse HB250 by Rep. Merlynn Newbold, R-South Jordan, and sent it to Gov. Gary Herbert.
The measure would designate an official flag to honor military members killed in the line of duty.
The flag was designed by Virginia's George Lutz, who lost his son in Iraq in 2005. He has been asking states and Congress to adopt it as an official symbol to honor fallen soldiers.
The flag is mostly red, with a white strip along the bottom containing the words "honor" and "remember."
The center has a blue star overlaid with a gold star. A representation of a folded U.S. flag is beneath the star, with three tongues of flame emanating from its top point to the center of the star.
"There has never been an official, recognized symbol that reminds us daily of the sacrifice made by the members of the military who lost their lives," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, Senate sponsor of the bill.
John Robert Thibeault — who lost his son, Jordan, in Iraq — earlier told lawmakers, "I'm touched by this design and this symbol," adding that many families of fallen soldiers already proudly display it.