Green Star Veterans Service Act Creates New Flag to Honor Families of Veterans Lost to Suicide Since 9/11

This legislation, named the Sgt. Walter F. Hartnett IV Green Star Veterans Service Act, establishes a new symbol of recognition: the Green Star Service Flag. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to design and designate this flag specifically for the next of kin of veterans who died as a result of suicide on or after September 11, 2001. Essentially, it’s about providing a formal, public way to recognize the profound loss experienced by these families, who often grieve without the traditional military honors associated with combat deaths.

Acknowledging the Invisible Wounds

For most people, the Gold Star flag is a recognized symbol of a family's sacrifice, representing a service member killed in conflict. This bill carves out similar recognition for families grappling with the devastating loss of suicide, a tragedy increasingly acknowledged as a consequence of service. The bill defines a “covered veteran” as someone who died by suicide after 9/11/2001, meaning this recognition is focused on the post-9/11 generation of veterans and their families. The “next of kin” who are entitled to display the flag include immediate family members and any others the VA specifies in its regulations.

Think about a parent, spouse, or sibling who has struggled for years with the grief and stigma surrounding a veteran’s suicide. This flag offers a tangible, government-sanctioned symbol that says, “Your loved one’s service and your family’s sacrifice are seen and honored.” For the busy, everyday person, this isn't about policy minutiae; it's about providing dignity and recognition to a group that has largely remained unrecognized in this specific context.

The Logistics of Honor: Licenses and Penalties

While the main goal is recognition, the bill also includes the necessary, if less glamorous, provisions for how this flag will be produced and sold. Any person or business that wants to manufacture and sell the Green Star Service Flag must apply to the VA Secretary for a license. This is standard procedure for official government symbols, ensuring quality control and preventing unauthorized use of the design.

However, the bill includes a sharp penalty for those who skip the licensing process. If someone manufactures the flag without a license or violates the section in another way, they face a civil penalty of up to $1,000. For a small online retailer or a local flag maker, that $1,000 penalty is a serious deterrent. This provision is meant to protect the integrity of the symbol, but it means manufacturers need to pay close attention to the new licensing requirements once the VA finalizes the flag’s design. If you’re in the business of making patriotic merchandise, this is a new regulation you absolutely have to follow to avoid a financial hit.