Operation Green Light for Veterans
Shine a light of hope and support for veterans
America’s counties have a long and proud history of serving our nation’s veterans, a legacy that continues to this day as we work with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that the former service members have access to the resources they need to thrive.
This Veteran’s Day, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Operation Green Light. The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to join us in showing support for veterans by lighting our buildings green from November 4-11, 2025. By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported.
To participate, counties are encouraged to use this template to pass a resolution declaring your county’s participation in Operation Green Light and utilize our participation resources below to spread the word.
Share How Your County is Participating
Share your story! Use the form to share photos, proclamations, press releases, social media and more. Help us highlight the efforts from counties across the country.
County News
Highlights from 2024 Operation Green Light for Veterans
Operation Green Light for Veterans returns. Explore highlights from counties across the country.
Getting Started
Suggested Operation Green Light supplies
Need ideas for lighting your county up in green?
Learn how to support Veterans in November and beyond
This short webinar by Amazon Business will provide counties with information on how to participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans.
Background: The County Role in Veterans Services
Speaking to an audience of county officials at NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference, U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said: “You touch more lives than any member of Congress, any United States senator or any governor in the states that we have right now, because you see them every day.” As the secretary explained, county officials are active members of local communities. Their constituents are their neighbors, and the connections that county leaders are able to build put counties in a unique position to serve the everyday needs of veterans.
In 29 states and the District of Columbia, County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) serve as essential advocates for veterans and their families. CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans in their community looking to access federal benefits, assisting with a wide range of services including VA health care, home loans, educational benefits and job placement assistance. In FY 2023, thanks in part to the tireless work of CVSOs, $273 billion in federal dollars was distributed to veterans in counties across the nation.
On December 16, 2024, Congress passed the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The legislation authorized $10 million to award competitive grants to CVSOs, prioritizing areas with high rates of veteran suicide, Veteran Crisis Line referrals or critical CVSO shortages. No federal resources had ever been provided to CVSOs before the Dole Act, even though helping veterans access federal benefits is their primary focus.
The passage of the Dole Act was a victory for counties, coming on the heels of an advocacy effort that took place during Operation Green Light 2024.
By the numbers
16 million
veteran residents
Veterans comprise 6.4% of county residents
$267 billion
in federal dollars
In FY 2023, over $273 billion in federal dollars was distributed to veterans in counties across the nation.
2024 Outreach Resources
Below, access materials from last year to assist you in planning your outreach efforts. We encourage counties participating in Operation Green Light to contact members of Congress, engage with local news media, and utilize social media to show your county’s efforts and encourage participation.
Use this template to pass a resolution declaring your county’s participation in Operation Green Light.
Download the Operation Green Light flyer to spread the word and share key information on how to participate.
Use this template ahead of November 4 to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate. Use this template between November 4 and November 11 to announce your county’s participation in Operation Green Light and share photos of county buildings illuminated in green.
Use this template ahead of November 4 to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate.
Use this template to ask your congressional delegation to support Operation Green Light and advance county federal policy priorities for veterans.
Social Media Templates
Use these sample social media posts to encourage participation in Operation Green Light and showcase your efforts.
We are excited to announce that [COUNTY] is joining our colleagues across the nation in launching #OperationGreenLight for Veterans, an initiative designed to shine a light on the service of our veterans and their families.
Now more than ever, our veterans need our support. In a time when our country is divided on so many issues, we can all agree that those individuals who risked everything to protect our country and our way of life deserve our support and gratitude. #OperationGeenLight for Veterans
As part of #OperationGreenLight for Veterans, [COUNTY] is illuminating our buildings green beginning on [DATE] and we encourage individuals and businesses to join!
Roughly 250,000 members transition out of the armed services each year. Join #OperationGreenLight for Veterans to help shine a light to support and welcome our veterans home.
By shining a green light, we aim to let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported. Join us in #OperationGreenLight for Veterans by changing one light bulb in the entryway of your house or business to a green bulb.
This #VeteransDay, join us in shining a light of hope and support. Join #OperationGreenLight and let’s turn [COUNTY] green for our veterans.
The office of [NAME OF MEMBER] is joining #OperationGreenLight for Veterans with counties across the nation to shine a light on the service of our veterans and their families!
Now more than ever, our veterans need our support. In a time when our country is divided on so many issues, we can all agree that those individuals who risked everything to protect our country and our way of life deserve our support and gratitude. #OperationGeenLight for Veterans
As part of #OperationGreenLight for Veterans, [COUNTIES] in [STATE] are illuminating its buildings green during the week leading up to #VeteransDay. My office is proud to turn on a green light in support of veterans in [COUNTY or STATE]
Veterans in [STATE/DISTRICT], look for #OperationGreenLight in your county this Veterans Day to know you're seen, supported and welcomed. You can also visit [NAME OF COUNTY DEPARTMENT] to access resources and services to help your transition to civilian life
This #VeteransDay, join us in shining a light of hope and support. Join #OperationGreenLight and let’s turn [COUNTY] green for our veterans
Advocacy
Congress enacts federal funding for County Veteran Service Officers
On December 16, the U.S. House passed the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This omnibus-style legislation compiled several proposals that seek to modernize the delivery of healthcare, benefits and services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Helping veterans, with an assist from counties, is ‘priority number one,’ VA secretary says
County officials can “touch more lives than any member of Congress or any governor,” because they see their constituents every day, said Doug Collins, the new VA secretary.
County Countdown – January 14, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Congress enacts federal funding for County Veteran Service Officers
On December 16, the U.S. House passed the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This omnibus-style legislation compiled several proposals that seek to modernize the delivery of healthcare, benefits and services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Counties applaud passage of legislation supporting County Veterans Service Officers
NACo applauds Congress' passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, a bipartisan, bicameral package that seeks to reform and improve the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans, their families, and their survivors.
County Countdown – December 2, 2024
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Sponsors
Operation Green Light is built upon efforts by the New York State Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association, who originated this work in 2021.
Program Contacts
Cameron Leonard
