Honoring the Forgotten Families
About Red Star Foundation
Every day, an average of 44 veterans die by suicide. Over 16,000 deaths each year. This staggering number doesn’t include the 500+ active military members and 500 first responders who also die by suicide annually. Leaving a void in the hearts of millions of loved ones, while creating pain and grief that ripple through families and communities.
The Red Star Foundation is a nationwide organization dedicated to honoring and supporting the families and loved ones of current military members, veterans, and first responders who have tragically lost a loved one to suicide. In addition to survivor support, the Foundation works to prevent suicide through education, advocacy, community outreach, and partnerships that promote mental health awareness, early intervention, and access to support resources within military, veteran, and first responder communities.
Red Star Voices
THE POWER OF A STORY
Surviving family and friends share their stories, their heart and their grief about losing a loved one. Throughout these stories, families reflect on their approaches to grief and the healing process, while also acknowledging the importance of community and culture. Their insights show that, through resilience and support, suicide loss survivors can find understanding, meaning, and even joy in their lives while continuing to honor the lives of those they have lost.
A Symbol of Honor, Healing, and Hope
Red Star Banner
The Red Star Banner is a powerful emblem of remembrance, connection, and healing for families of military personnel, veterans, and first responders who have lost a loved one to suicide. More than a flag, it serves as a visible acknowledgment of grief, a bridge out of silence, and a symbol of unity in the face of tragedy.
Displaying the Red Star Banner provides emotional comfort and a sense of recognition for those navigating unimaginable loss. It offers a dignified, stigma-free way to express grief—fighting silence with visibility and fostering awareness around mental health in the military, veteran, and first responder communities.
By embracing terms like Red Star Family, Red Star Wives, and Red Star Moms, we are reshaping the language around suicide loss. These empowering titles reduce stigma, promote solidarity, and encourage open conversations about mental health and healing.
The Red Star Banner is not just a tribute, it’s a movement toward compassion, connection, and change.
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News, Stories and Information
Red Star News
Red Star Foundation Welcomes John Hamre to Its Board of Advisors
The Red Star Foundation is honored to announce that John Hamre, one of the most respected nonprofit and veteran-service fundraising…
Red Star Foundation Joins the Face the Fight Coalition
The Red Star Foundation is honored to announce that we have been accepted as an official Face the Fight Coalition…
City of Clearwater Becomes the First Red Star City in the Nation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE City of Clearwater Becomes the First Red Star City in the Nation Clearwater takes historic step in…
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