MONTOUR FALLS, NY (WENY) -- As November approaches, local county government agencies want veterans to know they are not alone.
Schuyler County is taking part in New York's annual "Operation Green Light." The state-wide campaign encourages people, businesses and local governments to switch their porch and exterior lights to green ones, during the week leading up to Veterans Day.
Operation Green Light was created to show support to veterans, and is spearheaded by the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
The Schuyler County Veterans Service Agency is giving away free green light bulbs to county residents who want to take part.
"Being a veteran myself, I feel it's very important to go ahead and support your local veterans, but I also want to point out that Schuyler County has the fifth largest veteran population in all the 62 counties in New York. So it's pretty high population here, so that's why I've been getting the word out there of how important this really is," said Crystal Kawski, the director of veterans services for Schuyler County.
According to census data provided by Schuyler County, there were 1,354 veterans living in the county between 2018 and 2022. The most were from the Vietnam War era, with 564. The breakdown by war is as follows:
- World War II: 27
- Korean War: 183
- Vietnam War: 564
- Gulf War (8/1990 - 8/2001): 267
- Gulf War (9/2002 or later): 117
Schuyler County residents can pick up green bulbs during regular business hours at the Veterans Services Office at 32 Owego Street in Montour Falls (the Schuyler County Human Services Complex building.)
Bulbs should be changed from white to green for November 4th through the 11th.