OWEGO, N.Y. (WENY) — September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Tioga County (NY) is continuing its tradition to honor veterans and active service members who have lost their lives to suicide. On September 2, officials held a ceremony to display their Field of the Forgotten Fallen.

"We ask these people to serve the nation, fight our wars, and then come home and step back into civilian life like nothing ever happened," said Dennis Mullen, the director of the Tioga County Veterans' Service Agency. "Well, it's very difficult, and sometimes, the battle continues at home."

The field in front of the Tioga County Office Building was lined with 660 American flags. Data shows 22 veterans and active service members are estimated to die by suicide each day. That equals about 660 a month

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