By Hank Russell
After last year’s unanimous vote by the Suffolk County Legislature in 2024 to designate September 22 as “Veteran Suicide Awareness & Remembrance (SAR) Day,” Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), a major in the U.S.Marine Reserves, learned that County Executive Ed Romaine said that he will sign the bill into law.
Once Romaine signs the resolution, the SAR Flag will be officially recognized by Suffolk County and flown on its own pole at Armed Forces Plaza at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.
“Every level of government must address this epidemic of veterans facing such dire situations, the healthcare industry, and our communities. These men and women volunteer to serve our country, leaving them so vulnerable is unacceptable,” Romaine said.
As stated in the bill, Suffolk County would “establish the SAR Flag as an official symbol of our County’s concern and commitment to recognize and resolve military and veteran suicide, break the stigma of mental health, suicide and seeking treatment within the warrior culture of military and veterans to facilitate suicide prevention, and to honor the service and forever remember the lives of those veterans and military who died by suicide, as well as to honor, respect and unite their families.”
“The SAR Flag stands as a tangible symbol of hope to living veterans and military to show that we stand with them as they serve our country and transition back to civilian life and remind them that stigma-free treatment is available to facilitate suicide prevention,” said Lennon, who is also Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee.
Speaking during the vote, Lennon promised continued solidarity with his fellow veterans and announced his plans to walk 66 miles from the Orient Fire Department to Armed Forces Plaza in September, planning to arrive on September 22 for the Veteran Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Ceremony and for the inaugural raising of the SAR Flag.
This powerful symbol represents hope, healing, and remembrance for those affected by suicide,” wrote Jaclyn Imperati, commandant of the Marine Corps League’s Suffolk County Detachment. “By officially recognizing the SAR flag, Suffolk County can demonstrate its commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. This act will not only honor the memory of those lost to suicide but also provide support and encouragement to those who are struggling.”