Supporting the designation of September 22 as "National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day" and recognizing the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag.
This House resolution (H. Res. 737) expresses support for designating September 22 as National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for recognizing the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag (SAR Flag) as an official national symbol. It designates the SAR Flag, created by a U.S. Air Force veteran, as a symbol of the nation’s concern about military and veteran suicide, with goals of raising awareness, reducing stigma around mental health and treatment, and honoring veterans and service members who died by suicide. The resolution also directs that the SAR Flag be posted above all Federal buildings where the American Flag and the POW/MIA Flag are displayed, year-round. Importantly, as a House resolution, these provisions are symbolic and non-binding and do not by themselves create new laws or funding.
Key Points
- 1Official recognition of the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag (SAR Flag) as a national symbol reflecting the nation’s commitment to addressing military and veteran suicide.
- 2Designation of September 22 as “National Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day” to elevate awareness and open dialogue about veteran mental health and suicide prevention.
- 3Commitment to raising awareness of veteran/military suicide issues through the SAR Flag and to honoring the lives of those who died by suicide.
- 4Direction to post the SAR Flag above all Federal buildings wherever there is an American Flag and a POW/MIA Flag, 365 days a year.
- 5The resolution frames these actions as a means to break stigma around mental health and encourage access to support and treatment, but as a non-binding measure of Congress.