Carbon County is showing its commitment to area veterans by becoming the first county in the nation to join a new national collaboration that sheds light on veteran support.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners adopted a resolution becoming an Operation Green Light for Veterans county.

Operation Green Light for Veterans, a new program by the National Association of Counties, hopes to shine a light on the plight of veterans in counties across the country who are having a hard time connecting with benefits after serving their country.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich, who also serves as chair of NACo’s Veterans and Military Services Committee, said the initiative came about at NACo’s board meeting in Colorado on July 23 through discussions with National Association of County Veterans Service Officers President Nichole Coleman.

Operation Green Light for Veterans is similar to the original initiative created by New York State Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association in 2021, where they asked people to place a green light out in support of veterans.

But, the program also aims to raise awareness about challenges veterans face and resources that are available to them through county Veterans Affairs offices.

Lukasevich, who is retired from the U.S. Army, said that this is twofold to help retired veterans, as well as transitioning service members, and also the veterans service officers like the Carbon County Veterans Affairs office who play a large role in helping to bridge the gap in finding the services veterans are eligible for.

Christine LeClair, director of the Carbon County Veterans Affairs office, said this is a great addition to what Carbon County already does for its veterans.

“We have really been doing a lot of what I feel is great work in Carbon County,” LeClair said, pointing out a recent collaboration with Together with Veterans NEPA, Veterans Treatment Court and the Military Share Program. “We’re really hoping to increase more awareness and to let veterans know that we are out there to help them.”

She said her office, which consists of two full-time and one part-time employees, can help veterans, as well as their families or widows, navigate the resources that they are eligible for that they have earned.

Commissioners Rocky Ahner and Wayne Nothstein, chairman, echoed their colleague’s thoughts.

“I think this Green Light Project is something that’s really great for us to be the first in the nation to do something like this,” Ahner said. “Christine and her staff are phenomenal.”

Nothstein said that Carbon County has been blessed over the years with its Veterans Affairs directors and staff that dedicate their time to making sure veterans are served well.

The county will also illuminate select county buildings the week of Nov. 7-13 in green as part of the new initiative; and urges residents to change one light bulb in their house to a green bulb in hopes of raising awareness, showing support and starting a conversation.

“Operation Green Light is a simple way to express our collective appreciation for the public service of our veterans,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “We encourage everyone to join us in displaying a green light for our veterans and to also reflect on how we, as a nation and at the county level, assist our military service personnel back into civilian life upon completion of their service to our country.”

For more information, visit naco.org/operationgreenlight.