National Association of Counties

Reports & Toolkits

Operation Green Light for Veterans 2023: County Participation Toolkit

By Rachel Mackey   Jun. 28, 2023
Tags: Veterans Affairs
  • Document

    Operation Green Light for Veterans 2023: County Participation Toolkit

    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.   

    Once again this Veterans Day, 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 Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting our buildings green from November 6-12. By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported.  

    To show support, counties are encouraged to use this template to pass a resolution declaring your county’s participation in Operation Green Light.  

    Getting Started 

    Custom training for NACo members

    Take a few minutes to learn how to shop for Operation Green Light supplies and support veteran-owned businesses year-round with Amazon Business. Click here to view the training. 

    Suggested Operation Green Light supplies

    Need ideas for lighting your county up in green? Find suggested materials here.

    Outreach Resources

    Below, access materials to assist you in 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. 

    Share Your Activities with NACo

    Use our submission form to share how your county is participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans.

    • Share Your Story

    PRINTABLE FLYER 

    Download the Operation Green Light flyer to spread the word and share key information on how to participate. 

    • Download Flyer

    RESOLUTION TEMPLATE

    Use this template to pass a resolution declaring your county’s participation in Operation Green Light. 

    • Resolution Template

    SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE 

    Use this template ahead of November 6 to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate. Use this template between November 6 and November 12 to announce your county’s participation in Operation Green Light and share photos of county buildings illuminated in green.   

    • Sample Release | AHEAD OF NOV. 6
    • Sample Release | NOV. 6 – 12

    SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR 

    Use this template ahead of November 6 to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate. 

    • Sample Letter

    SAMPLE LETTER TO CONGRESS 

    Use these templates to ask your congressional delegation to support Operation Green Light and advance county federal policy priorities for veterans. 

    • Sample Letter

    SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT 

    Use these graphics and sample social media posts to encourage participation in Operation Green Light and showcase your county’s efforts.

    x z
    Template Posts

    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.
    Graphics
    Twitter Graphics

    Facebook Graphics

    Instagram Graphics

    Additional Resources 

    • NACo Veterans and Military Services Committee
    • NACo Policy Brief: Authorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers
    • Find a County Veteran Service Officer

    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. 

    Find resources to help your county participate in Operation Green Light, including information on converting municipal lighting to green, outreach materials and more.
    2023-06-28
    Reports & Toolkits
    2023-08-28

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.   

Once again this Veterans Day, 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 Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting our buildings green from November 6-12. By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported.  

To show support, counties are encouraged to use this template to pass a resolution declaring your county’s participation in Operation Green Light.  

Getting Started 

Custom training for NACo members

Take a few minutes to learn how to shop for Operation Green Light supplies and support veteran-owned businesses year-round with Amazon Business. Click here to view the training. 

Suggested Operation Green Light supplies

Need ideas for lighting your county up in green? Find suggested materials here.

Outreach Resources

Below, access materials to assist you in 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. 

Share Your Activities with NACo

Use our submission form to share how your county is participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans.

PRINTABLE FLYER 

Download the Operation Green Light flyer to spread the word and share key information on how to participate. 

RESOLUTION TEMPLATE

Use this template to pass a resolution declaring your county’s participation in Operation Green Light. 

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE 

Use this template ahead of November 6 to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate. Use this template between November 6 and November 12 to announce your county’s participation in Operation Green Light and share photos of county buildings illuminated in green.   

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR 

Use this template ahead of November 6 to spread the word about Operation Green Light and encourage individuals, businesses, non-profits and other organizations to participate. 

SAMPLE LETTER TO CONGRESS 

Use these templates to ask your congressional delegation to support Operation Green Light and advance county federal policy priorities for veterans. 

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT 

Use these graphics and sample social media posts to encourage participation in Operation Green Light and showcase your county’s efforts.

x z
Template Posts

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.
Graphics
Twitter Graphics

Facebook Graphics

Instagram Graphics

Additional Resources 

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. 

Share Your Efforts

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    Veterans and Military Services Committee

    The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families.
    page
    Veterans and Military Services Committee

    <p>The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation&rsquo;s military, veterans

    Learn More

Contact

  • Rachel Mackey
    Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services  
    (202) 661-8843

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