Honoring Fallen Veterans: Veterans Suicide Prevention Coalition to Embark on a Flag-Planting Campaign

In the heart of September, a poignant event is taking place in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10324, along with the Northern Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and Families Suicide Prevention Coalition, are planting 660 flags near the Veterans Administration Domiciliary and Trauma Recovery Center and the United States Army Reserve Center. This ceremony is part of a larger effort to raise awareness about suicide prevention among veterans.

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month in the United States, a time dedicated to fostering open conversations and promoting mental health resources. The flags, planted at the Veterans Memorial in Tower Park, serve as a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope.

The ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, from 6-7 p.m., will be a formal event honouring the veterans who have died by suicide. The National Anthem and Taps will be played, and former military members will share their thoughts and experiences. Members of the 478th Engineering Unit, the Young Marines, and the Quest Club from Highland Middle School are participating in the flag planting, demonstrating the community's commitment to this cause.

Officers from the Army Reserve Center will be present, and Fort Thomas City Manager Matthew Kremer will present a proclamation during the ceremony. The Suicide Prevention Coalition, a group of veterans and volunteers, will also be present, reinforcing the message that death by suicide is 100-percent preventable, and community support is crucial in achieving this.

The flags will remain planted throughout the month of September, serving as a daily reminder of the preventable tragedy of over 660 veterans who die by suicide each month in America. However, it's important to note that this number has recently decreased to approximately 540 suicides per month, a testament to the efforts being made by organisations like the VFW Post 10324 and the Northern Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and Families Suicide Prevention Coalition.

All are invited to attend the ceremony, an opportunity to come together, remember, and pledge our support in the fight against suicide among our veterans. Let us honour those who have been lost, and let us strive to create a brighter future for those who continue to serve.