Courthouse will go ‘green’ to honor veterans
Veterans Day parade Nov. 11
Coming next week: the Anderson County Courthouse will be illuminated in green each night from Nov. 7-13 as part of “Operation Green Light.”
Taking place across the country, this is a collaborative effort of the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.
It’s also being held this year in conjunction with the 15th annual Veterans Day Parade in Clinton, which will take place after the Veterans Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Six years ago, Anderson County launched its first Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, held the second Saturday morning of each month at the Clinton Community Center, to give veterans and their families the opportunity for fellowship.
As for the green lighting of the courthouse, that was made possible by a resolution passed in September by the Anderson County Commission. The green lighting will take place beginning in the evening of each day, and remain on until morning.
“Our military personnel and veterans are incredibly important to us here in Anderson County,” county Mayor Terry Frank said in a release.
“Our veterans service officer, Leon Jaquet, does a fantastic job connecting our newer veterans with the services they need to readjust to civilian life, as well as helping our older generations of veterans secure the benefits and health care they deserve after their military service.”
Anderson County District 4 Commissioner Tim Isbel, who is a member of the counties’ association’s Veterans and Military Service Committee, brought Operation Green Light to the attention of his fellow commissioners, the release said.
The resolution also designated Anderson as an “Operation Green Light County,” and encourages residents and businesses to participate by “simply changing one light bulb in their homes or businesses to a green bulb,” the release said. “This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passers-by see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.
“Being an ‘Operation Green Light County’ lets our veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported,” the mayor’s release said.
“While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day, participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.”