Dunedin Becomes the Nation’s Second Red Star City

City Dunedin Becomes the Nation’s Second Red Star City

Dunedin, FL – A powerful movement to recognize and support families impacted by suicide continues to gain momentum across the United States. That movement reached another milestone as the City of Dunedin, Florida was officially proclaimed a Red Star City, becoming the second city in the nation to receive this designation.

This proclamation, issued by Mayor Moe Freaney and the Dunedin City Commission, also formally recognizes March 21 as Red Star Families Day, remembering the families of current military, veterans, and first responders who have died by suicide.

A Community Taking Action
Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Dunedin has long been known for its strong sense of community and civic engagement. With a population of just over 36,000 residents, the city has built a reputation for bringing people together around causes that matter.

By adopting the Red Star City designation, Dunedin is taking a bold step forward in addressing one of the most urgent and often overlooked issues facing our nation: suicide among those who serve and those who stand beside them.

This designation is more than symbolic. It represents a commitment to:

• Recognize and support Red Star Families
• Reduce stigma surrounding suicide
• Promote awareness and education at the community level
• Partner with organizations like the Red Star Foundation to drive real impact

Building a National Movement
Dunedin now joins Clearwater, FL as one of the first cities in the country to formally recognize Red Star Families and commit to long-term support and awareness.

This growing momentum is central to the Red Star Foundation’s mission: to create a nationwide network of cities, communities, and citizens who refuse to ignore the devastating impact of suicide on military, veterans, first responders, and their families.

Each Red Star City becomes a pillar in that national framework, helping to:

• Expand peer-to-peer support networks
• Increase access to resources
• Elevate the voices of families affected by suicide
• Drive proactive solutions like Code Red and community-based engagement

Why This Matters
Suicide continues to impact millions of Americans each year, including current military members, veterans, and first responders. Behind every loss is a family navigating grief, often without recognition or support.

The Red Star City designation changes that. It ensures that these families are no longer invisible. It creates a visible, community-backed system of acknowledgment, compassion, and action.

A Model for Cities Nationwide
Dunedin’s leadership sets a powerful example for municipalities across the country. It shows that meaningful change does not always start at the federal level. It starts locally, with leaders willing to stand up, recognize the issue, and take action.

As more cities follow, the Red Star City initiative has the potential to become a national standard, just as the Gold Star designation has done for families of fallen service members.

Moving Forward
The Red Star Foundation looks forward to working alongside Dunedin to implement programs, host awareness events, and support families in meaningful, lasting ways.

With Dunedin now stepping forward, the message is clear: communities across America are ready to take action, support their families, and stand united in the fight against suicide.

This is only the beginning. All Hands on Deck!

About the Red Star Foundation
The Red Star Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing military service members, veteran and first responder suicide. As well as supporting families of military service members, veterans, and first responders lost to suicide. Through its peer-to-peer network, community programs, and awareness campaigns, the Foundation promotes healing, advocacy, and prevention.