Local 100 Member and Air Force Veteran Kevin Hertell Taking Action to Save Lives

By Pete Donohue
TWU Local 100 Communications

Kevin Hertell likes to fix things. He spent four years repairing and servicing fighter jets as an F-16 Crew Chief with the U.S. Air Force. For the past 13 years, he’s been working on subway trains as a Car Inspector at an overhaul shop in northern Manhattan. And now the skilled mechanic is squaring up to a national problem of epic and tragic proportions: suicides by U.S. military veterans. He has started a non-profit organization, is lobbying for a new state-designated “day of remembrance,” and even designed a new flag for supporters to rally around.

“Most, if not all suicides, are preventable,” he said. “It just requires intervention and treatment. There’s no good reason why we can’t make a difference.” The stigma attached to suicide prevents many people mired in mental distress from seeking the professional help they need. That’s particularly true for those with military training who have been influenced by a “warrior culture” that celebrates physical and mental toughness. But Hertell believes that stigma can be defeated by raising awareness and fostering conversations about the often-taboo subject.

Towards that end, he came up with the idea of having a Sept. 22nd officially designated as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. September is suicide prevention month. By some estimates, 22 military veterans take their own lives every day. After meeting with Hertell, state Sen. Jen Metzger introduced the necessary legislation last year. The Senate passed the bill in July. Companion legislation is pending in the state Assembly.

“An annual observance will help elevate public consciousness of veteran suicides, honor those we’ve lost, and break down the stigma that prevents veterans from seeking help,” Metzger said in a press release. “It is vital that we continue to work together to support our veterans and connect them and their families with the resources they need to survive.”

Hertell also has created a new flag for those supporting the mission. The Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag draws inspiration from the Prisoner of War (POW) flag and the Gold Star Service Flag. The symbolism is powerful: the black background signifies mourning; the gold star represents a member of the military who has passed away; the five points of the star symbolize the five branches of the armed forces. He gets choked up talking about the small but growing number of people who have heard about his efforts and have asked for a flag, including a mother in Nebraska, a father in Colorado, and a widow in Texas. He knows their pain.

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Hertell’s activism stemmed from a suicide, and a suicide attempt, in his family. His cousin, an Air Force veteran who did several tours in Afghanistan, died by suicide in 2016, leaving behind a wife and young son. His father is a suicide survivor. After his cousin’s suicide, Hertell spent about a year reading everything he could about suicide and thinking what he could do about this issue. He spent another year creating the flag’s design.

“And then I just went anywhere and everywhere and talked to anyone that would listen,” he said. “I’ve spoke at Transit, American Legions, VFW’s, Marine Corps Leagues, backyard barbecues. I’ve even spoken to a room full of people at a bar waiting for food and asking if the restaurant would post stickers of the SAR Flag.”

Transit workers on Tuesday marked the first Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day at the 207th St. Overhaul Shop where Hertell and one of his biggest supporters, Chairman Rob Ruiz, both work. Ruiz and fellow transit worker Manny Tirado, Chair of the Transit Veterans Employee Resource Group, helped organize the event. Ruiz has been a big help spreading word about Hertell's mission via social media, Hertell said.

"It started out slow but I think we're gaining momentum," Hertell said. "This is an issue that really brings people together. It's really moving. Hertell’s non-profit is Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag, Corp. For more information, go to the group's Facebook page or website: www.sarflag.com