The Livingston County Board of Supervisors has declared Livingston County a Green Light for Military Service County from October 12 through November 13, 2022.
This designation recognizes and honors the approximately 200,000 men and women in uniform making the transition from military service to civilian life each year, known among veterans as expiration of term of service. Service members often report high levels of stress during this transition and studies have shown veterans are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after leaving military service. Veteran Services Director David Terry said County residents can visibly show their support for transitioning service members by displaying a green lightbulb in their home or places of business from Oct. 12 to Nov 13.
“We call it Operation Green Light. Green is the color of hope, renewal and well-being,” he said. “Displaying a green light can bring about meaningful conversations regarding the immeasurable sacrifices of our veterans and how we, as a County, can assist in making their move to civilian life an easy one.”
To help ease this transition, County officials have pledged their support for the Expiration Term of Service Peer Mentorship Program, which connects mentors in the local community with new veteran residents. Mentors in the program offer their support and advice to military personnel both before and after leaving military service. Terry said it can be a shock to go from a strict and regimented military lifestyle to the freedoms of civilian life. He hopes support programs like this encourage more veterans to consider making Livingston County their home after leaving the armed forces.
For local veterans interested in becoming a mentor to another veteran settling in Livingston County through the Expiration Term of Service Peer Mentorship Program, or for more information on Operation Green Light, please email the Livingston County Veteran Services Agency at [email protected].
For more on these and other veteran programs, please visit the Livingston County Veterans Services agency online or call 585-243-7960.
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