Military And Veterans
Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announces ‘Operation Green Light for Veterans’
Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announces ‘Operation Green Light for Veterans’
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Erie County, New York
In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns has announced that Old County Hall will be illuminated green through Nov. 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide initiative to honor and support military veterans. This initiative is particularly significant as it fosters a greater awareness of the myriad challenges that veterans face, along with underscoring the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist them and their families. Kearns has called upon residents, businesses, and community organizations to partake in this effort by changing at least one light bulb in their properties to a green hue. "By shining a green light, we let our veteran community and their families know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported," Kearns articulates in his appeal, highlighting the community's commitment to veterans. The Erie County Clerks Office has been proactive in its assistance to veterans throughout the year, particularly with the popular Thank-A-Vet Discount Card Program. This program provides veterans who file their DD-214 discharge papers with the Clerks Office a complimentary card which offers discounts at over 1,400 area businesses. Furthermore, by recording their DD-214 discharge papers, veterans ensure permanent access to essential documents necessary for verifying their benefits and other services. In a forward-thinking enhancement made in 2021, Clerk Kearns added life-saving crisis support numbers on the back of the Thank-A-Vet card, including Crisis Services and the Veterans Crisis Line, providing veterans and their families immediate, confidential assistance around the clock, seven days a week. This initiative is necessary; alarming statistics indicate that an estimated 140,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, with the annual total consistently exceeding 6,000 veteran suicides per year for over two decades, according to analysis by the organization Stop Soldier Suicide. With such a grave issue at hand, the Erie County Clerks Office, along with Crisis Services and the Veterans Crisis Line, remains committed to addressing the emotional and psychological challenges many veterans face, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Kearns emphasized the critical nature of this support, stating, "Erie County has one of the highest veteran populations in New York State. We must do everything we can to support their transition to civilian life and prevent suicide within the veteran community. By lighting our buildings and homes green, we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to our veterans and their families." If you or someone you know is in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line offers confidential support 24 hours a day. Those in need can reach out by calling or texting 988 and pressing 1 for a qualified Department of Veterans Affairs responder. Immediate support can be accessed locally by contacting Crisis Services at 716-834-3131 or through text at 716-300-2338. As we approach Veterans Day, initiatives like Operation Green Light are vital for reminding communities of the sacrifices made by veterans and the support systems in place. As discussions evolve around veteran assistance programs, theres an emerging focus on integrating mental health resources within community outreach efforts. Early reports indicate an increase in public engagement with veterans' issues, which signals a shift in how community members view their roles in supporting this demographic.