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(Photo courtesy of House of Representatives)

When Governor Gregoire yesterday signed into law a bill (here is the bill report on it) creating the Washington state flag account, it was a meaningful and special moment for anyone with a relative or friend who is serving overseas in the military.

It was especially important for my co-worker Suzette Black, who is a receptionist in our Legislative Building office. Suzette also manages the Office of Secretary of State’s state flag program, so she receives many requests for state flags from families of service members in the Middle East or other locales around the world, or from family members who want to purchase a Washington flag to send to their sons and daughters who aren’t in the military but are overseas, or just to have one at home.

“It’s exciting for me to see this bill become law,” said Suzette, noting it was her first bill signing ceremony. “It’s meaningful for these families to provide their son or daughter with a little piece of Washington while they are overseas.”

Although many states have had programs in place allowing donations to be made for state flags, Washington was without one – a fact that drew many complaints. “There have been times when people would ask about donating, and we had to tell them ‘no,’ which was heartbreaking. Here it is a time of war, and all these guys and girls want is a flag to remind them of home. So this new donation program is so important in that way. We now have a place to accept funds, and we don’t have to tell people no, that they can’t have a flag for their son or daughter, or a flag to have in their dining facility.”

The issue is personally important for Suzette, who has a son-in-law who served in the Middle East, as well as several friends who are currently serving in that region. “I was also was a military wife for 15 years, so I understand how important and stressful it is being away from home and friends and family during war time.”