Durham County Veteran Services Encourages Residents to Take Part in ‘Operation Green Light’

DURHAM, NC. – In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Durham County Government and the Durham County Veteran Services Department call upon residents to light up porches and other outdoor areas green from November 6-12, 2023, as part of Operation Green Light (OGL). OGL is a new national collaborative initiative created by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about 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.

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, Durham County joined over 300 counties that participated in Operation Green Light.

At the Regular Session on Monday, October 23, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a resolution in support of Operation Greenlight in Durham County, as well as declaring from October through Veterans Day, November 11, 2023, as a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform transitioning from active service.

During the November 6-12 time frame, the Durham County Government will place the special lights at the Administration II Building, the Taurus sculpture on East Main Street, the Human Services Building, and the Durham County Courthouse. Each of these sites will be illuminated green as part of Operation Green Light.

“Operation Greenlight stands as a tribute to our nation’s veterans, a beacon of gratitude illuminating their sacrifices,” said Durham County Veteran Services Director Lois Harvin-Ravin. “From October through Veterans Day, November 11th, we honor their service and resilience, ensuring their valor echoes through the fabric of our community.”

In addition to the lighting of county buildings – 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 and family.

“Durham County encourages residents in patriotic tradition, to recognize the importance of honoring all those in the United States military who have made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying a green light in a window or porch at their place of business or residence as part of Operation Green Light,” said BOCC Chair Brenda Howerton. “The County is proud to partner with the National Association of Counties in this initiative and will honor those who have served our country by illuminating many of our buildings with green lights.”

Green light bulbs are available at numerous local hardware and big box stores, said Veteran Services Officer Jonathan Crooms. They can also be ordered online and delivered with plenty of time to install the week of November 6-12. Veteran Services will also have a limited number of green light bulbs available for pickup between 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, outside of the Human Services Building located at 414 E. Main Street on the S. Dillard Street side of the building. Staff will be curbside to hand out bulbs to residents while supplies last – rain or shine. Other times bulbs will be available at the County Veteran Services Office through November 6 or until supplies are exhausted. Please call 919-560-8387 for more information.

Shining a green light during Operation Green Light lets veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused on the week of Veterans Day, 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 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.

The Durham County Department of Veteran Services will hold its annual Veterans Day Celebration at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 9. The event will be held inside Conference Rooms B & C on the 2nd Floor of the Human Services Building at 414 E. Main Street in downtown Durham. The theme this year is “Legacy of Service: Honoring our Heroes Past, Present and Future,” and the keynote speaker is Chief Deputy Secretary Brian Pierce of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.

Durham County Veteran Services staff can be reached for help with local services and resources by calling 919-560-8387 or emailing veteranservices@dconc.gov.