On Tuesday, October 4, Polk County Veterans Service Officer Kurt Ellefson approached the Polk County Board of Commissioners to approve the county’s participation in a nationwide initiative known as “Operation Green Light,” which will go into action on the week of Veteran’s Day (November 7-13) to honor veterans for their service.
To show its support, the county will illuminate all of the county flag poles at their government buildings (the Polk County Government Center, Highway Department, Justice Center, and the Law Enforcement Center) with green lights during the nights during the week. Along with the government buildings, the county is encouraging residents and local businesses to participate in the event by displaying a green light in and around their buildings. “We encourage residents and businesses to change at least one lightbulb in their house or outside their businesses, which can be an exterior or interior lights, whatever sparks conversations with your friends,” Kurt Ellefson explained. “Basically, to honor veterans for the week of Veteran’s Day, November 7 through the 13. If you already have a green light, you can leave it on all year round if you want to support veterans as well.”
The National Association of Counties introduced the event, with the National County Veteran Service Officer Association collaborating back in July to shine a light on the plight of veterans in counties across the county who are having a hard time connecting with benefits after their service. The program has been promoted and approved by several counties across the nation to show their support during Veteran’s Day Week, and many more are looking to join the movement next year. “I believe at the CVSO office, I’m one of the three doing it this year,” Ellefson explained. “But we did have a meeting a couple of weeks ago where we talked about it, and there are a lot of other counties that are going to get on board for next year as well.”
If you wish to show your support at your home or business for the week of Veteran’s Day, you can purchase green light bulbs at your local hardware or general stores or create them by covering a lightbulb with some green film to make it green. Ellefson also says that support doesn’t have to stop at just green lights, as people can show their support in a variety of ways in their homes or businesses. “Anything green or just a sign that says, “Thank you, Veterans,” any small thing. When you do things like that, especially out in your community, say you put a sign near your front porch, you don’t know who will go by there,” Ellefson explained. “It could be ten veterans or a veteran that’s never been thanked for their service who’s going to see that, and that makes their day or their year, so it means a lot.”
The Operation will begin next week, on the week of Veteran’s Day, November 7 to the 13. If you are looking for a lightbulb for your house or business, you can pick up a free lightbulb per household at the Crookston Chamber Office at 103 S Broadway during business hours, or you can go to Walmart.com to purchase some green lights as well. You can also share your participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
