The phrase “committed suicide” is wordage that we and the families who have lost a loved one to suicide condemn because it only adds to and perpetuates the stigma associated with suicide.
These Veterans and Military did not “commit” a crime. The appropriate phrases are “died by suicide” or “lost to suicide.”
When a Veteran or Active Military member dies by suicide, they have succumbed to a mental health ailment, similar to the way in which someone would die from a physical health condition. Either way, it is through no fault of their own.
Since 2001 we’ve lost over 100,000 Veterans to suicide.
New york and New Jersey currently have legislatioN to OFFICIALLY adopt the SAR flag and to ANNUALLY recognize september 22nd as “Veterans suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day”
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/AJR247
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/A6079
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a6200