If your local county government building suddenly becomes illuminated in green light in early November, there’s a meaning behind it.
In observance of Veterans Day, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) are joining ‘Operation Green Light’, an annual event that shows support for veterans by lighting buildings green from November 4 to November 11.
George Dunlap, national president of the National Association of Counties, in an interview with Military.com said the colorful displays of light will be an expression of gratitude and respect for our veterans.
“It started in 2020. The first one was done in New York State, where they lit up governmental buildings in support of veterans, and to acknowledge the service that veterans have provided to our country,” Dunlap said. “There are 3069 counties and boroughs across the United States, and our goal is to get every one of them to participate.”
National ‘Go Green’ Initiative for Veterans
Counties nationwide, as well as other government landmarks and private sector buildings, have joined the effort. In addition to lighting their building with the color green, Dunlap said some have passed resolutions that recognize Operation Green Light and affirm local commitments to veterans.
There’s also an effort to spread the word on social media with the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
“I think it sends a message to veterans that, uh, we support you. We honor you. We recognize you for the service that you provide to our communities,” Dunlap explained. “I think people realize that had it not been for our military, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we currently enjoy.
“Why Green? Dunlap said the color is by design. “Green is a symbol of hope, renewal and well-being. Green light is also a term commonly used to signal moving forward,” he said. “By lighting county buildings green, counties show veterans that they are seen, appreciated and supported as they move forward.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 17 million veterans living in the U.S., representing roughly 6% of the adult population . About 12% of the veteran population are women and the median age for all veterans is 63 years old. Racial and ethnic minority groups make up about 28% of the veteran population.
For many veterans, their experience often relates to the time they spent on the front lines of war. The VA reports the largest single share of older veterans served in the Vietnam War. But a growing share of the younger and more diverse veterans served in the Persian Gulf War and Post-9/11 conflicts.
World War II and the Korean War account for a very small and declining percentage of remaining surviving veterans.
Counties Matter For Veterans
According to NACo, county offices across the country are full of resources for veterans. In 29 states, the County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) process more than $52 billion in compensation, pension, health care and other benefits for veterans each year.
Dozens of counties nationwide also operate Veterans Treatment Courts, which connect justice-involved veterans with programs and benefits that can treat underlying mental health and substance abuse conditions.
Counties also support veterans’ access to housing, employment, education and mental health services that treat trauma and prevent suicide.
“We assist veterans in getting their VA benefits too, making sure that if they’re in a situation where they’re homeless, we try to provide housing, or any kind of support the veterans and their families might need,” Dunlap said. “Our counties are ready to step forward and offer those services to them, free of charge.”
While Operation Green Light is a pre-planned coordinated effort among counties, governments and private entities nationwide, there are ways others can join the campaign.
“We’re asking not just the counties with their government buildings, but for example, in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, where I am, we’re lighting up the skyline green. Corporations are participating, and they will light up the skyline green,” he said. “We’re asking communities to put a green light on their porch light that can be seen from outside the house. We want entire communities to show their green light in support of veteran services.”
