Montgomery County leaders declared Nov. 4 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, as Operation Green Light for Veterans during a proclamation event on Nov. 10, urging residents to display green lights in tribute to those who served. County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Natalie Fani-González presented the proclamation, which says more than 36,000 veterans live in the county.
The event, shown in a video of the proclamation event, brought together county officials, veterans and representatives of veteran organizations.
What the Proclamation Says
The proclamation declares the Nov. 4 through Nov. 11 period a time to honor the service and sacrifices of veterans and encourages residents to display green lights during those days. It notes that veterans benefits specialists help veterans access federal health, disability and compensation benefits, and that accredited local veterans service organizations provide free help with disability claims.
As part of the observance, the county Department of Transportation will feature a Ride On bus wrapped in green to honor veterans, according to the proclamation.
Elrich Cites County Programs
Elrich said the county has about 37,000 veterans, a figure slightly higher than the one in the proclamation. He said the county’s Commission on Veterans Affairs was established in 2008 and that a Department of Veterans Affairs community-based clinic opened in Gaithersburg in 2018.
On housing, Elrich said the county has secured 133 HUD-VASH vouchers for homeless veterans since 2016. He said veteran homelessness is an ongoing issue because people who were not homeless can become homeless, and that the county continues programs to connect veterans with support.
He also pointed to local tributes, including the Silver Spring library named for the late Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee and veterans memorial displays at the Rockville Memorial Library, the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza.
Health and Human Services and Community Groups
James Bridgers, director of the county Department of Health and Human Services and a retired Army veteran, said the department is not a veterans-only agency but that many of its programs benefit veterans, their spouses, caregivers and families. He said some of those programs can help people who may not qualify for certain federal VA benefits, subject to program eligibility and available resources.
A representative of the Maryland Military Alliance said the coalition represents 24 organizations and 150,000 military-connected people. The representative described Operation Green Light as a way to raise awareness and said a green light stays on at home year-round.
Mike Wilson, chair of the county’s Commission on Veterans Affairs, thanked the executive and council leadership for supporting the commission’s work. Wilson, who served four years in the Marine Corps and 17 in the Army, said many people have a veteran in their lives and that veterans may be dealing with physical or non-visible health issues.
Fani-González said her husband is a Marine veteran and that when the county honors veterans it should also uplift their families. Several veterans and county staff members in the room introduced themselves with their branches of service before the proclamation was read.
What’s Next
Operation Green Light for Veterans runs through Nov. 11. Residents can find local veteran resources and tributes on the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs website.
