Weeklong Observation Bathes Buildings in Green Light to Show Support, Raise Awareness of Services Available to veterans
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County is supporting veterans and raising awareness of the supports and services available to them by participating in Operation Green Light again in 2025. Launched in New York in 2021 by the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State County Executives Association, and the New York State County Veterans Service Officers’ Association, Operation Green Light has since been adopted by the National Association of Counties and spread to hundreds of counties and local governments across the United States.
From November 4 -11 Erie will join counties across the nation in illuminating county buildings, landmarks, and other assets in green to show visible support for our veterans. Residents, businesses, and community organizations are also encouraged to participate by changing one light to green as a symbol of gratitude and recognition.
“This week we pause and thank our veterans for their sacrifices for our country, and we show our support for them wherever we can,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “County governments are the conduit for services for veterans nationwide as well as right here in Erie County. The Erie County Veterans Service Agency has a wealth of resources available to veterans and their families and I encourage veterans to find out more.”
Operation Green Light is more than a symbolic gesture—it reflects the essential role counties have long played in supporting veterans, a role formalized in 1945 when New York required each county to establish and maintain a County Veterans Service Agency. County Veterans Service Officers across the nation assist veterans in accessing more than $52 billion in federal health, disability, and compensation benefits each year.
For more information:
On the Erie County Veterans Service Agency, click here
On resources available to veterans, visit https://www3.erie.gov/veterans/veterans-resources
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