Erie County Clerk's Office to participate in 2024 Operation Green Light for Veterans

Old County Hall will be illuminated green through Nov. 11

Press Release and Graphic Submitted by the Erie County Clerk’s Office

In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announced plans to illuminate Old County Hall green through Nov. 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort to support military veterans. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties (NACo), raises awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

Kearns is encouraging residents, businesses and other organizations to participate by simply changing one light bulb inside or outside their home to a green bulb.

“By shining a green light, we let our veteran community, and their families, know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported,” Kearns said.

Throughout the year, the Erie County Clerk’s Office is busy assisting and working with veterans to enroll in the popular “Thank-A-Vet” discount card program after placing the applicants’ DD-214 discharge papers on permanent file in the clerk’s office. By doing so, this ensures quick access to discharge papers, which the veteran or family will need to verify proof of honorable discharge if they require access to federal, state or death benefits. Additionally, the complimentary discount card provides valuable discounts the veteran can utilize at over 1,400 area businesses throughout Erie County.

In 2021, Kearns reformatted the popular veteran discount card to include lifesaving phone numbers on the back of the card – one for Crisis Services and the other for the Veterans Crisis Line – to help veterans or their family members deal with an immediate crisis. Both organizations provide free, confidential support, and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, in an effort to combat this national health crisis.

In its 2018-24 strategic plan, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) identified preventing veteran suicide as its highest clinical priority, and the Erie County Clerk’s Office, Crisis Services and the Veterans Crisis Line are all committed to prevent suicide and assist those who suffer with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Veteran suicides have claimed over 30,000 lives since 2001 – four times more than the number of U.S. military personnel who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Erie County has one of the highest veteran populations in any New York state county, and we need to assist them transition back to civilian life and do all we can to prevent suicide in the veteran community,” Kearns said. “Our hope is that, by lighting up our community green, our veteran community knows we are steadfast in our efforts to provide any help, support or services they need.

Any veteran or business owner with additional questions on how to obtain a “Thank-A-Vet” discount card, or to be a participating business, can contact the Erie County Clerk’s S.A.L.U.T.E.S. Program at 716-858-6787 or visit online at erie.gov/clerk/thankavet.