(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Pottawattamie County announced that its Veterans Service Office, and primary signage for the Pottawattamie County Jail and Sheriff’s Office, will soon be illuminated green. The display from November 6th through the 12th is part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties (NACo), raises awareness around the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families. The announcement came during today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting of the Pott. County Board of Supervisors.

“With designation as a Green Light for Veterans County, Pottawattamie County hereby declares from October through Veterans Day, November 11th, 2023, as a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform transitioning from Active Service,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Brian Shea.

County Board of Supervisors, County Veterans Service Office staff, and attendees of the Supervisor’s meeting who have served. (Photo/story submitted)

Now in its second year, Operation Green Light is spearheaded by NACo and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, building upon successful efforts by the New York State Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association in 2021. In 2022, over 300 counties participated in Operation Green Light.

“For centuries, men and women have stepped forward offering Courage, Bravery, and Sacrifice to protect the freedoms we as a people, we as Americans cherish, no matter the cost, asking nothing in return for their Commitment to protect the innocent and uphold our Nations Values,” said Peggy Becker, Pottawattamie County Veterans Service Office Administrator. “In the words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy ’As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.’ It is important for us as a community to recognize, honor, and celebrate those that chose to serve others,” said Becker. “We want to make sure that our veterans know that we are grateful for their service and for their families sacrifices. Operation Greenlight is a way for every business and every individual citizen to say, ‘I see you’ and show their support and simply say Thank You!”

In addition to lighting county buildings, bridges, and other meaningful landmarks, residents, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their home 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.

“Operation Green Light is a gesture of support and appreciation for the public service of our veterans,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “With hundreds of counties coming together to light everything from bridges to courthouses, we know veterans across the country will see and feel the gratitude we all feel for their service and sacrifices.” Counties and residents across the country are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

For more information on Operation Green Light, click here.