All Around The Country, Veterans Are Being “Green-Lighted”

All around the country, people are “green lighting” veterans.  Is this some kind of sinister conspiracy?  Is ISIS finally making good on their threats to attack service members here in the US?

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Nope, it’s something completely different.

When I hear the term “green-lighted,” I think of it in terms of someone giving the “green light” to go forward with a murder.  If you are the person who got “green lighted,” then you are marked for death.  But maybe I’ve just watched too many gangster movies.

The “green lighting” we’re talking about here is something much better, both for the veteran community and for our nation as a whole.  In the “Green Light a Vet” program, corporate giant Wal-Mart is teaming up with some of the best-known veteran advocacy groups, including Team Red, White and Blue, Team Rubicon, and Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) to show support for our nation’s veterans.  The premise is simple:  change one bulb in your house from white to green.  Why green?

Green is the color of hope, renewal and well-being. “Greenlight” is also a term commonly used to activate forward movement. The simple action of changing one light to green is intended to spark a national conversation regarding the recognition of veterans, and “greenlight” them forward as valued members of our communities.

That sounds reasonable to me.  Similar to the “yellow ribbon” of previous generations, the “Green Light” program is a simple, subtle, but important signal of support to our nation’s veterans and their families.  So how can you show your support for what I’m going to call Operation Greenlight?  It’s easy:

Change one light to green in a visible location-on your porch, in your home, or at your office-and keep it glowing every day as a symbol of appreciation and support for our veterans. Then, share your support by taking a picture of your green light and posting it using the hashtag #greenlightavet.”

This isn’t “just for veterans,” isn’t not “just for civilians.”  This is for ANYONE who wants to show their support for veterans and their families.  If you choose to participate in the program and “shine a light on America’s veterans,” check out the “Green Light” website, and post a picture of YOUR green light on the Havok Journal Facebook page.  Many thanks to those involved for helping America show support for its veterans.