Parts of the Jasper County Courthouse will be illuminated with green lights Nov. 6-12 in observance of Veterans Days. The initiative is part of Operation Green Light. (Christopher Braunschweig)
Supervisors have given the OK for maintenance to put green filters on the lights of the Jasper County Courthouse from Nov. 6-12 in observance of Veterans Day. Golf Swing Training Mat
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veteran Services Officers (NACVSO) call it “Operation Green Light.” All 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs across the nation have been invited to join the initiative by shining green lights to show veterans they are supported.
Jerry Nelson, post commander of American Legion Post 111 and a member of the Jasper County Commission of Veterans Affairs, presented the initiative to the board of supervisors at the Oct. 3 meeting. Nelson proposed the green light filters could be placed on the east side and the south side of the courthouse.
“It’s to highlight the service of the veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made,” he said. “I believe it would, like I said, highlight our service and the veterans of the county. I don’t think it should cost a whole lot. If there are some costs involved, there might be something we can do with some of the service organizations.”
In addition to wanting the county to opt-in to the program, Nelson encouraged the public to participate in Operation Green Light. They can do so, he said, by putting green lights on their porches or windows to acknowledge the commitments the veterans of Jasper County have made.
Supervisor Doug Cupples suggested veterans groups like the American Legion should purchase green lightbulbs to sell to residents as a type of fundraising opportunity. Nelson seemed receptive to the idea. Supervisor Brandon Talsma said the initiative has received more push by NACo over the past year or so.
“It’s a pretty simple, cost-efficient and cost-effective way to participate in that to try and raise awareness,” Talsma said.
The board of supervisors voted 2-0 to authorize maintenance to work with veterans affairs to follow through with Operation Green Light. According to press releases detailing the initiative, it is now in its second year and is expecting to draw hundreds of counties to participate.
Jasper County’s role in administering services for veterans includes helping former service members access more than $52 billion in federal health, disability and compensation benefits each year, as well as other services supporting the 200,000 service members who transition to civilian communities annually.
Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.
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