Onondaga County Participating in Operation Green Light in Support of Local Veterans
SYRACUSE, N.Y.– Starting November 6th, county buildings have been illuminated green in participation with the “Operation Green Light” Campaign for Veterans. Operation Green Light for Veterans is a nationwide effort uniting counties in support of military veterans. County buildings and landmarks such as the Onondaga County Courthouse, John H. Mulroy Civic Center, Veteran’s Cemetery, and more will be lit green through the Veteran’s Day Holiday. The initiative, led by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) in collaboration with 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 campaign, first launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the NYSAC, the NYS County Executives’ Association, and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association, has grown into a national effort led outside of New York by the National Association of Counties (NACo), which adopted the campaign in 2022, leading to the participation of more than 300 municipal governments last year.
County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “We will never be able to thank enough those who have stepped up to protect this country and our rights, but this gesture is a small way to show our deep appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice.”
“This is our way of saying thank you and you are not forgotten. Your service matters and we are grateful. Operation Green Light is an opportunity to raise awareness of the resources available to veterans and their families” Anne-Marie Mancilla, Director Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency.
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’s 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 gives government leaders, businesses and individuals a way to reach out and let members of the veteran community know what we’re with them and that we appreciate all that they have done to protect our country and our way of life,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “With hundreds of counties across New York and the nation 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. To learn more about Operation Green Light, visit www.nysac.org/operationgreenlight.
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Visit us at: www.ongov.net/veterans Follow us on Facebook at: Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency