In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Polk County announced that the county buildings would be illuminating their flag poles green from November 7 through the 13 as part of Operation Green Light. A new national collaborative initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo) to support military veterans, raise awareness about the unique challenges many veterans face, and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.
The new national collaborative is spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, building upon the successful efforts of the New York State Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association in 2021.
“Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, our nation’s voluntary military force members, and their families, have made immense sacrifices for our safety and security over a two-decade period,” said Polk County Veterans Service Officer Kurtis Ellefson. “Similar to the sacrifices of previous generations of our armed forces, this service to the country also often results in significant stress to many of the veterans who served in times of war and conflict. We want to make sure our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to make sure they are served by their county government and our community.”
In addition to lighting county buildings’ flag poles green, residents, and businesses are encouraged to participate by simply 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.
By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 7-13), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
“Operation Green Light is a simple way to express our collective appreciation for the public service of our veterans,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “We encourage everyone to join us in displaying a green light for our veterans and to reflect on how we, as a nation and at the county level, assist our military service personal back into civilian life upon completing their service to our country.”
Visit naco.org/operationgreenlight and/or www.co.polk.mn.us/370/veterans-services for more information and links to resources available to veterans.
