Ahead of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday next Monday, Santa Cruz County’s governmental building at 701 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz will be illuminated in green light.
As part of “Operation Green Light,” which is being marked across the country, the building will be illuminated in green through Monday, Nov. 11, to honor veterans.
“Operation Green Light lets our service members know we recognize and welcome them,” Supervisor Zach Friend said. “Each of them made contributions and sacrifices to serve our country, and many of them have a journey back that is much longer and more difficult than just a flight home. We are grateful for their service.”
Spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Operation Green Light is now in its third year, with more than 300 counties participating last year.
More than 8,500 veterans live in Santa Cruz County. Veterans account for 7% of the U.S. population, the county said in a release, and often face significant challenges once they return home, including higher risk of suicide than the general population.
Locally, veterans services are available through the Santa Cruz County Veterans Services Office, 842 Front St., Santa Cruz. For more on Operation Green Light, visit https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans.
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