Kansas Counties Light Landmarks in Support of Veterans

Published on November 04, 2024

Original Press Release Date: November 1, 2024
Press Release Source: National Association of Counties - National Association of Counties

TOPEKA – On Friday, October 25, 2024, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, joined by ten Kansas County employee veterans, signed a proclamation declaring the week leading up to Veterans Day, November 4-11, 2024, as Operation Green Light Week in Kansas. 

Beginning on Monday, November 4, the Kansas Association of Counties, along with over 40 Kansas County government partners statewide, will light county courthouses and other county buildings, as well as KAC’s Topeka office green, as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans.

Operation Green Light is a nationwide effort coordinated by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers to show support for veterans and raise awareness around the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

Now in its third year, Operation Green Light is expected to draw participation from hundreds of counties nationwide. The county role in administering services for veterans includes County Veterans Service Officers helping fellow former service members access more than $52 billion in federal health, disability, and compensation benefits each year, as well as other services supporting the approximately 200,000 service members who transition into civilian communities annually.

“Our nation’s military members, and their families, continue to make immense sacrifices for our safety and security each and every day,” said KAC Executive Director Bruce Chladny. “Similar to the sacrifices of previous generations of our armed forces, their service to our country also often results in significant stress to many of the veterans who served in times of war and conflict. We want to ensure that our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to make sure they are served by their county government and local communities.”

In addition to lighting county buildings, bridges, and other meaningful landmarks green, 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 see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.

In addition to lighting county buildings, bridges, and other meaningful landmarks green, 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 see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.

“By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that their service and sacrifice is seen, appreciated and supported,” shared KAC Board President Frank Williams, Butler County EMS Operations Manager. “Here in Butler County, we are lighting our county courthouse green throughout this week-long event to recognize our veterans and their families.”

Along with Butler County, over 40 Kansas County Commissions passed a resolution/proclamation in support of Operation Green Light to light their county buildings green. These counties are also encouraging local citizens and businesses to light their homes and buildings green as well as promoting the Operation Green Light event through social media.

Counties and residents across the state and the country are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

• Atchison County: Lighting the county courthouse clock tower green.
• Brown County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Butler County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Chase County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• City of Fort Scott (Bourbon County): Lighting city hall green.
• Cloud County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Cowley County: Lighting all entryways of county facilities green.
• Dickinson County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Doniphan County: Lighting the county courthouse dome green.
• Douglas County: Lighting the county courthouse green, social media shout out, and veteran county employees will receive thank you treats.
• Ellis County: Lighting the county courthouse and EMS/Fire Facility green.
• Ellsworth County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Finney County: Lighting the county courthouse and 8-10 other county buildings green. During the County Commission meeting, the local Quilt of Valor organization will present a Sheriff’s Department veteran employee with a quilt. A decorated holiday tree with green lights and ornaments to include photos of veteran county employees who have received a quilt from the local Quilt of Valor organization will be on display. 
• Geary County: Lighting the county courthouse and several other county buildings green. 
• Graham County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Greenwood County Health Department: Lighting the county health department green. A decorated holiday tree with green lights and military ornaments will be on display. Green light bulbs are available for individuals who wish to participate. 
• Harvey County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Jefferson County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Johnson County: Lighting their county administration building green.
• Kingman County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Leavenworth County: Lighting their county courthouse and grounds green.
• Lyon County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Marion County: Lighting the county courthouse and county office complex (Planning & Zoning, Emergency Management and Road & Bridge) green.
• McPherson County: Lighting each window in their county courthouse green.
• Miami County: Lighting their county administration building green.
• Montgomery County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Osage County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Osborne County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Ottawa County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Phillips County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Pottawatomie County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Rawlins County Public Health Department: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Reno County: Lighting the county courthouse green. 
• Russell County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Saline County: Lighting the county courthouse and other county buildings green.
• Shawnee County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Sumner County: Lighting the county courthouse and annex building green – inside and outside.
• Thomas County: Lighting the county courthouse green.
• Trego County: Lighting the county courthouse and downtown businesses green.
• Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK: Lighting the county municipal building green.
• Wichita County: Lighting the county courthouse green.

For more information on Operation Green Light, click here.

Proclamation Signing Photo

Kansas Operation Green Light Photo

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including 40,000 county elected officials and 3.5 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

The Kansas Association of Counties is a quasi-public agency, which seeks to advance the public interest by promoting effective, responsive county government in Kansas. Founded in 1975, as an instrumentality of its member counties, KAC serves county governments through: legislative representation, technical assistance, leadership, and professional education.

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