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County Buildings Illuminated Green in Support of Veterans During 'Operation Green Light.'

In support of America's veterans, this week county buildings across the state are lighting up green.
In support of America's veterans, this week county buildings across the state are lighting up green as part of a new initiative called Operation Green Light, to encourage residents, businesses, and governments to light up their homes, buildings, courthouses, and bridges green. By shining a green light, participants let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. 


 
Above: the Livingston County Courthouse. Livingston County is among the many counties across the state have adopted Operation Green Light so far this year.
 
 
“Operation Green Light is a simple way to show support for our veterans and raise awareness about the challenges veterans face as they return from the war in Afghanistan and transition back to civilian life,” said Tioga County Chairwoman Marte Sauerbrey, president of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). “For this Veterans Day and beyond, we encourage everyone to join with us in displaying a green light of hope and support for the men and women who fought to defend our country and our way of life.” 
 
Operation Green Light is a collaboration between the NYSAC, the NYS County Executives' Association, and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers' Association and is intended to support veterans of all military conflicts, with a special emphasis on the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.  
 
Residents are encouraged to participate by changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends. 
 
More than 30 counties across New York State are participating in the initiative with dozens already lighting county buildings, including: 
  • Broom County – Departments throughout the Broom County Office Building 
  • Clinton County – Old Clinton County Courthouse 
  • Dutchess County – Dutchess County Office Building 
  • Livingston County – Livingston County Courthouse 
  • Madison County – Madison County Courthouse 
  • Monroe County – Rochester Airport 
  • Oneida County - Oneida County Office Building
  • Onondaga County – Onondaga County Courthouse, Carnegie Building, War Memorial, Everson Museum 
  • Oswego County – Oswego County Courthouse 
  • Orange County – Orange County Government Center 
  • Rensselaer County – American Flag display outside of County Office Building 
  • Steuben County – Steuben County Office Building 
  • Tioga County– Tioga County Courthouse 
  • Tompkins County – All 14 county buildings and Ithaca City Hall 
NYSAC has also asked Governor Hochul and Mayor DeBlasio to participate in the effort to support our veterans by illuminating State and City buildings and bridges.
 
Jason Skinner, President of the NYS County Veterans Service Officers' Association said, “I would like to thank all who support Operation Green light. Everyone can make a difference in the lives of a newly discharged service member. First and foremost, leaving military service is the end of one career and the beginning of the next one. Removing barriers to employment is a major component of this initiative. The military instills great qualities that any employer would benefit from. Thanks to NYSAC, their leadership is shining the light on this and many other ways we can help our nations heroes.” 
 
“This is the first Veterans Day in nearly two decades to be celebrated during peacetime. Many veterans are returning home and many more are wondering what their sacrifice over the last 20 years means. We wanted to do something to welcome those veterans home and honor their sacrifice and the sacrifice of all our nation's veterans in a way that everyone could see,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “Operation Green Light gives individuals, businesses and government leaders a way to reach out and let members of the veteran community know what we're with them and that we appreciate all that they have done to protect our country and our way of life.” 
 
Additional counties participating in the Operation Greenlight Initiative, include: 
  • Allegany County 
  • Albany County 
  • Chemung County 
  • Cortland County 
  • Delaware County 
  • Franklin County 
  • Fulton County 
  • Greene County 
  • Herkimer County 
  • Jefferson County 
  • Lewis County 
  • Orleans County 
  • Saratoga County 
  • Schoharie County 
  • Schuyler County 
  • Ulster County 
  • Warren County 
  • Wyoming County 
 
Contact the above county Public Information Officer to inquire about light status. 
 
“By shining a green light, we let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 7th-13th), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round,” said Acquario.  
 
Participants are encouraged to share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight. 
 
Visit www.nysac.org/operationgreenlight more information and links to resources available to veterans. 
 
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Media Contact: Mark LaVigne | MLavigne@nysac.org | 518-465-1473 x206
 

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