Guilford County officials are hoping that Greensboro and other parts of the county will be turning green in November.
With Veterans Day coming up on Friday, Nov. 11, Guilford County government – and many other county governments across the country – plan to honor veterans, and county officials are encouraging residents to do the same.
Guilford County buildings will be illuminated green from Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 11 to participate in Operation Green Light, a new national collaborative initiative meant to honor veterans.
The concept came out of the National Association of Counties (NACo) – an organization that works for the benefit of county governments nationally – in a move to support military veterans. It’s largely meant to raise awareness of “the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.”
In addition to Guilford County government lighting up buildings with green lights, residents and businesses are encouraged to take part by changing at least one light bulb in their house to a green bulb – either an exterior light or an interior light. The hope is that the lights will help spark conversations with friends about the contributions of veterans.
Everyone can share pictures of their participation in the initiative on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to pass a resolution stating that the residents of Guilford County have “great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served our country and this community in the Armed Forces” and that the board and others in the county appreciate that “the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens.”
The resolution will also declare the period from November 7 through Veterans Day this year as a time to “salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” and it will encourage county residents “in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying a green light in a window of their place of business or residence.”
About 200,000 service members transition from military life to civilian life each year, and studies indicate that that move often involves high levels of stress and those veterans are at a high risk of suicide – especially in their first year after military service.
As a 20 year veteran, long retired, I want to extend to Guilford County a very hardy and heartfelt THANK YOU for the recognition of all veterans. The plan for lighting County buildings during the week leading up to Veterans Day is more appreciated then anyone could know.
Pleasant Garden will be honoring veterans on Nov. 6th at Pleasant Garden Town Hall. Contact them or check the website for the time.
Speaking for myself, I was and still am proud of my service and even more so knowing the level of appreciation by American citizens everywhere. To the uncountable number that has said “Thank you for your service”, while not necessary my reply is “Thank you for your support.” In the words of Douglas MacArthur, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
Airborne All The Way (AATW)
Alan Marshall
SFC, Retired