CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT MILITARY AND VETERAN SUICIDE

(Washington, DC)—Congressman Joe Morelle, joined by a bipartisan group of colleagues, has introduced a House Resolution to officially recognize the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (SAR) flag and designate the flag as the nation’s symbol of military and veteran suicide.

“It is imperative we take action to ensure the courageous men and women who serve our nation have the essential mental health resources they need and deserve,” said Congressman Joe 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.”

Veteran suicide is a complex issue with many underlying factors including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Encouraging open dialogue, reducing stigma, and improving mental health support can help. In 2021, Congressman Morelle authored The Brandon Act to allow servicemembers to safely seek mental health counseling without notifying their command or opening an official investigation—which was passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It is named for 21-year-old Brandon Caserta, whose death was one of 68 Navy suicides in 2018. His family and fellow sailors attribute this to a toxic leadership environment that left him no recourse for assistance.

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.

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