A solid black background composes most of the flag as it flies in the wind. In the center of the flag is a figure with a lowered somber head. He is in a yellow star with olive branches on either side. In bold letters at the top of the star, it reads S-A-R. At the bottom of the flag it reads, ‘Honor The Fallen’. This is the flag of the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag group founded by Air Force Veteran Kevin W. Hertell.

On Sunday, November 21, veterans, community leaders and friends gathered at American Legion Post 1420 to honor and remember the life and the memory of United States Air Force Academy Cadet First Class William ‘Billy’ L. Gorczynski of Mason, Ohio. Cadet Gorczynski lost his life to suicide last year during the pandemic lockdown.

“It’s definitely a somber day. It’s a reminder for us that suicide is a problem everywhere but especially in the military,” United States Air Force Academy Cadet First Class Christian LoBiondo said. “To be a part of something like this (SAR), of course it’s for something that’s very somber and sad, but it’s absolutely needed.”

LoBiondo’s first memory of Gorczynski was when he arrived for basic training prior to arriving at the academy. Gorczynski served as mentor to him during his first year at the academy. After LoBiondo completed his first year, the two cadets remained in the same squadron and became close friends soon after. Outside of the classroom, Cadet Lobiondo described Cadet Gorczynski as fun, loving, always laughing, and just a very good person. He was dedicated to his studies and had a strong friend group. A simple special memory that Cadet LoBiondo remembers about Cadet Gorczynski was going to mass together and then grabbing food after mass. Both cadets were in the same squadron, they ate lunch together, attended meetings together and lived close to one another on campus.

LoBiondo remembers the day he got the news of Gorczynski’s passing. He remembers, on that day, being at home in Newburgh, New York, where he continued his studies remotely due to being sent home because of the pandemic.

“It was a very, very tough day,” LoBiondo said. “You never think it’s going to be one of your really close friends.”

Lobiondo remembers the night before that he and Gorczynski were talking on the phone, sharing laughs and talking about the future and their careers. It was later that night that Gorczynski lost his life to suicide. Since his passing, LoBiondo has kept in contact with Gorczynski’s mother and has received support from both the academy and his squadron. “Always check in on your friends and enjoy the time that you have with them, never take anything for granted,” LoBiondo said. “Everyday I wish Billy was here. I really miss him.”

During the course of the service, Cadet LoBiondo, in the presence of Hertell and his father, Newburgh Town Councilman Anthony LoBiondo, and witnessed by others, took the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Deputy Oath. LoBiondo later shared his own thoughts on his friend. Later on in the ceremony, LoBiondo received an SAR flag that will be sent later on to Gorczynski’s family.

September 22, through a resolution passed by Newburgh Town Council, is recognized as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day according to Councilman LoBiondo. “The pride that I feel as a parent is tremendous,” Anthony LoBiondo said, seeing his son deputized. “I have so much respect and admiration for my son.”According to Hertell, 22 veterans and military die by suicide each day and veterans and military lost to suicide since 2001 is over 100,000. “You are not alone. We are in this together. We can change the perception of mental health and suicide together,” Hertell said. “Suicide is preventable, mental health is treatable. We will make a difference.”