TITLE
Title
PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 AS VETERANS SUICIDE AWARENESS AND REMEMBRANCE DAY
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner Kay Cashion
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BACKGROUND
Background
WHEREAS, the men and women of our military and the veterans of North Carolina represent the highest tradition of selfless service to our county, state and nation, and their sacrifices deserve our eternal gratitude and our active support; and
WHEREAS, suicide prevention remains a major public health priority for the veteran community. While the daily average reported by the VA has changed as data collection has improved, the number of veteran suicides remains a significant concern. September 22 provides an opportunity to remember those who were lost, support those who are struggling, and strengthen efforts to prevent future tragedies; and
WHEREAS, military personnel and veterans continue to face a disproportionate and heartbreaking risk of death by suicide, with veterans nearly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their civilian counterparts, and over 20 veterans and military members dying by suicide each day across the United States; and
WHEREAS, since 2001, the United States has lost over 100,000 veterans to suicide - a number that exceeds the casualties of many of the conflicts in which these brave men and women served - and post-9/11 veterans continue to be at the greatest risk among the veteran population; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is one of the most military-connected states in the nation, home to Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and many other installations, with hundreds of thousands of veterans, active-duty service members, and military families who call our state home and who are woven into the fabric of every community from the mountains to the coast; and
WHEREAS, suicide prevention services are vastly underutilized by our military and veterans due to the deeply entrenched stigma surrounding mental health, suicide, and seeking treatment within the warrior culture of military and veteran communities, and breaking this stigma is essential to saving lives; and
WHEREAS, the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (SAR) Flag was created by United States Air Force Veteran Kevin W. Hertell in memory of his cousin, Senior Airman Robert McRae Dean of the United States Air Force, who died by suicide in 2016, and the SAR Flag now stands as a powerful national symbol of remembrance, hope, and commitment to ending veteran and military suicide; and
WHEREAS, September is recognized nationally as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, making September 22 an especially fitting and powerful date to focus our collective attention on the unique and profound challenges faced by those who have served our nation, and to honor those we have lost;
WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the county of Guilford to honor the service of our military and veterans, to remember those we have lost, and to ensure that every veteran in our County knows they are seen, valued, and never alone.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, do hereby call upon all of our citizens, community leaders, businesses, faith communities, schools, and government entities at every level to join in recognizing Tuesday September 22, 2026 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and help-seeking among our veterans and military members, and to ensure that every veteran in Guilford County, North Carolina knows that compassionate and holistic support is available to them.
ADOPTED this the 3rd day of September 2026.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Proclaim September 22, 2026 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day.
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