To address the rate of suicide among veterans and first responders, the New Hampshire Telephone Museum is partnering with The Honor Bear Project to plant over 660 American flags this Saturday.

The event kicks off at 1 p.m. at the museum in Warner, with community members invited to participate in the flag installation, symbolizing the number of veterans lost to suicide each month nationwide.

Graham Gifford, the museum’s director of programming, emphasized the significance of the flag installation, highlighting its impactful visual representation.

“I just think this is a great thing and if we can at least let one person know in case that person has a bit of a struggle going on, then we’ve got a good deed for the day,” she said.

Recent statistics from the State Suicide Prevention Council and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Hampshire reveal that nearly 250 veterans in New Hampshire died by suicide between 2015 and 2020. The report uses data from the Veterans Affairs.

In addition to the 660 flags, a large American flag will represent more than 40 active duty, National Guard, and Reservists, while five additional flags will honor more than 120 first responders lost to suicide each month.

The flags will remain on display at the museum for 30 days, serving as a reminder of the lives affected by this crisis.

The museum, founded by veterans and first responders, is committed to honoring its community. With many of its supporters sharing similar backgrounds, this initiative feels particularly personal, said Gifford.

“As a communications museum, we feel it’s our responsibility to highlight missions like that of The HonorBear Project,” she said.

If you need help

Veterans: To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night, dial 988 then Press 1

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org

National Alliance for Eating Disorders: Call the helpline at +1 (866) 662-1235

The Trevor Project: A national 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call 1-866-488-7386. Veterans: To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night, dial 988 then Press 1.