Garbarino, Ryan Lead Resolution to Recognize Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag and Establish a National Veterans Suicide Awareness Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Congressman Pat Ryan (D-NY-18) announced the introduction of a House Resolution to officially recognize the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (SAR) flag and designate the flag as the nation's symbol to raise awareness of military and veteran suicide and honor the lives and service of those servicemembers and veterans who have died by suicide. Additionally, this resolution would recognize September 22nd as "National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day."

"Too many of our nation's heroes return home only to be lost to the unseen wounds of war. By officially recognizing the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance flag and establishing a national day of observance, we honor their sacrifice and renew our promise to support every man and woman who's worn the uniform. We must break the stigma around mental health, ensure our servicemembers and veterans know help is available, and reaffirm that this country will never leave its heroes behind," said Rep. Garbarino.

"I served alongside brave men and women who returned home from combat, but we still lost to the invisible wounds of war. Losing one veteran or servicemember to suicide is too many," said Rep. Ryan. "Our country has a solemn and sacred obligation to care for our veterans and servicemembers, and, when they're gone, to honor their legacy and care for their families. An officially recognized Suicide Awareness and Remembrance flag will honor the memory of those we've lost and recommit us to fight to end the crisis of veteran and military suicide- and uphold our promises to those who serve our nation."

The flag, primarily inspired by the POW flag, has a black background to represent mourning and a five-point gold star to represent the five branches of the military and a military member who has passed. The memorial wreath has 20 exposed leaves which represent the 20 veterans and active military who die by suicide every day. "Honor The Fallen" adorns the bottom of the flag to remind us that we can honor and forever remember these veterans and servicemembers by continuing to raise awareness and never forgetting their service to our country. The flag was created by U.S. Air Force veteran Kevin Hertell. Learn more about the meaning and symbolism behind the flag here.

"Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death for our Veterans and Military, but it doesn't have to be this way. Our mission is to break the stigma of mental health, suicide, and seeking treatment within our warrior culture to facilitate suicide prevention for our Veterans and Military. The S.A.R. Flag is the symbol our country needs to break the stigma, to create a community of survivors, to honor the service and forever remember the lives of our Veterans and Military lost to suicide, and to be a tangible symbol of hope to living Veterans and Military to facilitate suicide prevention. In addition, by having a day of observance, we can elevate this issue within the public's consciousness, be there for the surviving family members, and remind living Veterans and Military that they are not alone, and that stigma-free mental health help is available," said Kevin Hertell, Founder & President of The Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Flag Corp.

This bipartisan resolution is also co-sponsored by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), and Joe Morelle (D-NY-25).

"Designating September 22 as National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day honors those who served and recognizes the struggles many face after coming home. With thousands of veteran and servicemember households in the Hudson Valley, the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag will stand as a symbol of our commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health and ensuring every veteran knows support is available," said Rep. Lawler.

"I join my colleagues in supporting this resolution to honor the servicemembers and veterans we've tragically lost to suicide and to raise awareness of this crisis. Providing the veterans of Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn with the services and support they deserve remains a top priority, and by designating the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance flag and recognizing September 22nd as National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, we reaffirm our commitment to preventing future tragedies and supporting our servicemen and women,"said Rep. Malliotakis.

"Suicide among our veterans and service members is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore. Since 2001, more than 100,000 veterans have died by suicide, and every day over 20 more are lost," said Rep. Tenney."By officially recognizing the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag and establishing September 22 as National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, Congress is making a clear statement: this issue must remain front and center. Creating more visibility of the crisis reinforces our commitment to action and sends a message to veterans and service members that support is available."

"It's critical we ensure the courageous men and women who serve our nation have the essential mental health resources they need and deserve," said Rep. Morelle."We can stop the underutilization of prevention services by members of the military if we end the stigma associated with mental health treatment. The SAR flag will help achieve this goal by creating awareness and acceptance, while honoring the sacrifices of our servicemembers with a national symbol."

SAR flag corp. is based in Huntington Station, NY. Its founder, Kevin Hertell, has been advocating for the official designation of this flag since the loss of his cousin to suicide. His efforts have gained traction in several state legislatures, including Nebraska, Arizona, and New York.

The full text of the Resolution can be found here.

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