Following controversy, Suffolk lawmakers vote to allow veteran suicide awareness flag to fly 

Suffolk County lawmakers approved a bill Tuesday to fly the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance flag at Armed Forces Plaza in Hauppauge, following controversy to the measure's original proposal.

The bill represents a compromise on an earlier piece of legislation introduced by Legis. Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point) that would have required the flag to be flown at county buildings wherever the POW/MIA flag flies in remembrance of service members who were either prisoners of war or missing in action.

The original bill divided veterans, largely by generation, with some arguing that hoisting the flag on the same pole would be inappropriate and could dilute the messages both represent.

The SAR flag will fly in Hauppauge on a separate pole, according to the bill, which says the county officially recognizes the SAR flag “to raise continued awareness of military and veteran suicide.” 

The bill takes effect once County Executive Edward P. Romaine signs it.

Lennon said he thought there was enough support to pass the original bill, but he didn’t want to push it through and instead amended it.

“My hope is we’ll continue that momentum to one day get it flown in as many places as we can to let people know you’re not alone,” he said in an interview outside the Suffolk Legislature building where the POW/MIA flag flies under the American flag.

Legis. Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) said during the meeting he was “so proud” of the bill Lennon put forward. “There are people depending on you and we stand with you,” he said.

Lennon, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan, said he reached out to the National League of POW/MIA Families, a nonprofit formed in 1970, to seek feedback on the organization’s stance to fly the SAR flag under the POW/MIA flag.

He said initial conversations indicate the organization is in favor, but its board has to vote to issue a formal position.

Kevin Hertell, an Air Force veteran and veterans advocate from Melville, created the SAR flag as a way to break the stigma of veteran suicide, raise awareness and serve as a symbol of hope and honor for surviving family members, he previously told lawmakers.

Air Force veteran Nathan Gardner, of Patchogue, who has advocated for the SAR flag, said in an interview he views any compromise as a good start and it shows lawmakers are “seeing the importance of what we’re trying to accomplish.”

He said he’ll continue to advocate for state and federal recognition for the SAR flag.