Officially recognizing the Green Star Service Banner as a symbol honoring the service and memory of veterans who died by suicide and recognizing the families they leave behind.

The text as introduced · 416 words

90R5154 AMB-F

By: Metcalf
H.C.R. No. 8

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Americans owe an incalculable debt of gratitude to

the members of the United States armed forces, who have answered the

call to defend our freedoms and who willingly shoulder

extraordinary burdens in service to our nation; and

WHEREAS, The families of military personnel likewise make

profound sacrifices, and for those who have lost a loved one to

suicide, the grief they experience is often compounded by social

stigma and feelings of isolation; and

WHEREAS, Far too many service members confront significant

challenges both during their military careers and as they

transition to civilian life; according to data published by the

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 581 veterans in the State of

Texas died by suicide in 2023, representing a rate that's more than

double that of the state's general population; moreover, there has

been a significant increase in suicides among veterans between the

ages of 18 and 34 over the past quarter century; and

WHEREAS, The Green Star Service Banner was established by the

Green Star Families of America organization as a symbol of

recognition to be presented to the surviving families of veterans

who have died by suicide, with the goal of ensuring that the

families are accorded the acknowledgment, respect, and support they

deserve; drawing on the tradition of the Gold Star Service Banner,

which signifies the loss of a member of the military in the line of

duty, the Green Star banner features a Kelly green five-pointed

star, with the color signifying hope and growth in the heraldic

tradition; and

WHEREAS, Through its presentation, the Green Star Service

Banner is intended to provide enduring recognition of a veteran's

contributions while strengthening their loved ones' sense of

belonging in the military and veteran community; since launching

the initiative, the members of Green Star Families of America have

worked to secure widespread recognition of the banner and to build

greater public awareness around the issue of veteran suicide; and

WHEREAS, The Green Star Service Banner stands as a poignant

symbol of acknowledgment and remembrance, and it reminds us of our

solemn duty to commemorate the service of veterans lost to suicide

and the importance of offering compassion and kindness to their

families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 90th Legislature of the State of Texas

hereby officially recognize the Green Star Service Banner as a

symbol honoring the service and memory of veterans who died by

suicide and recognizing the families they leave behind.