During the month of November, you might notice some of your neighbors’ front porch lights turning green. While it may seem like an early start to Christmas decorations, a green porch light actually has a different meaning unrelated to the holiday season. It is a symbol of support for U.S. military veterans.
The tradition of using green porch lights began as part of the Greenlight a Vet project. This initiative was launched by Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in 2013. The campaign encouraged people to change their porch lights to green as a way to recognize and appreciate veterans in their communities. Participants were also encouraged to share their support on social media using the hashtag #GreenlightAVet.
In addition to the Greenlight a Vet initiative, another program called Operation Green Light for Veterans was launched in 2022 by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in affiliation with the National Association of County Veterans Services Officers (NACVSO). This program aims to show support for veterans by illuminating courthouses, offices, and other municipal buildings in green during the week of Veterans Day.
The choice of the color green for these initiatives has multiple meanings. Green is not only associated with the military due to the green uniforms worn by troops, but it also symbolizes hope, renewal, and well-being. The term “greenlight” is often used to signify forward movement.
While Veterans Day is the most symbolic time to show support for veterans, you can follow the lead of Operation Green Light for Veterans and keep your green porch light on for the entire week or even year-round to demonstrate ongoing appreciation for the military.
The goal of Operation Green Light is to encourage meaningful participation from counties and communities across the country. This may include distributing green light bulbs or other forms of outreach to engage residents in showing their support for veterans.
If you would like to join in and show your support for veterans, you can purchase green light bulbs at your local hardware store or from participating retailers. Let’s shine a green light to recognize and honor our veterans.
