Kansas Counties Light Landmarks in Support of Veterans

Published on November 06, 2023

TOPEKA – The Kansas Association of Counties, along with many Kansas County partners, announce today that county courthouses and other county buildings, as well as KAC’s Topeka office have been illuminated green, as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort by counties, the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.

This week, from November 6-12, 2023, county buildings and landmarks across Kansas and the country will be illuminated green to show support for veterans and raise awareness around the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

Now in its second year, Operation Green Light is expected to draw participation from hundreds of counties nationwide. The county role in administering services for veterans includes County Veterans Service Officers helping fellow former service members access more than $52 billion in federal health, disability, and compensation benefits each year, as well as other services supporting the approximately 200,000 service members who transition into civilian communities annually.

“Our nation’s military members, and their families, have continued to make immense sacrifices for our safety and security since that one fateful day, September 11, 2001,” said KAC Executive Director Bruce Chladny. “Similar to the sacrifices of previous generations of our armed forces, their service to our country also often results in significant stress to many of the veterans who served in times of war and conflict. We want to ensure that our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to make sure they are served by their county government and local communities.”

In addition to lighting county buildings, bridges, and other meaningful landmarks, residents, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their home to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.

“By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that their service and sacrifice is seen, appreciated and supported,” shared KAC Board President Aaron Mays, Shawnee County Commissioner. “Here in Shawnee County, we are lighting our county courthouse green throughout this week-long event to recognize our veterans and their families.”

Along with Shawnee County, numerous other Kansas County Commissions passed a proclamation in support of Operation Green Light to light their county buildings green. These counties are also encouraging local citizens and businesses to light their homes and buildings green as well as promoting the Operation Green Light event through social media.

• Allen County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Iola (county seat).
• Atchison County: Lighting their county courthouse clock tower green in Atchison (county seat).
• Butler County: Lighting their county courthouse and clock tower green in El Dorado (county seat).
• Clark County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Ashland (county seat).
• Comanche County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Coldwater (county seat).
• Cowley County: Lighting all entryways of county facilities green in Winfield (county seat).
• Dickinson County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Abilene (county seat).
• Doniphan County: Lighting their county courthouse dome green in Troy (county seat).
• Ellis County: Lighting their county courthouse, emergency services, law enforcement center, and public health department buildings green in Hays (county seat).
• Finney County: Lighting their county courthouse and other county buildings green in Garden City (county seat). They will also recognize county employees who have served their country and have now chosen to serve their county.
• Harvey County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Newton (county seat).
• Jackson County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Holton (county seat).
• Jefferson County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Oskaloosa (county seat) .
• Johnson County: Light their county administration building green in Downtown Olathe (county seat).
• Leavenworth County: Lighting their county courthouse and grounds green in Leavenworth (county seat).
• Lincoln County Health Department: Lighting their public health department building green in Lincoln (county seat).
• McPherson County: Lighting each window in their county courthouse green in McPherson (county seat).
• Miami County: Lighting their county administration building green in Paola (county seat).
• Montgomery County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Independence (county seat). They will also recognize county employees who have served their country and have now chosen to serve their county.
• Morris County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Council Grove (county seat).
• Neosho County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Erie (county seat).
• Osage County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Lyndon (county seat).
• Ottawa County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Minneapolis (county seat).
• Pawnee County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Larned (county seat) .
• Phillips County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Phillipsburg (county seat).
• Pottawatomie County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Westmoreland (county seat).
• Riley County: Green lights will be installed and displayed along Poyntz Avenue in Downtown Manhattan (county seat).
• Rooks County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Stockton (county seat).
• Russell County: Lighting their county courthouse green Russell (county seat).
• Saline County: Lighting their county courthouse and other county buildings green in Salina (county seat).
• Sedgwick County: Lighting their historic county courthouse green located at 510 N Main in Downtown Wichita (county seat).
• Shawnee County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Downtown Topeka (county seat).
• Stafford County: Lighting their county courthouse green in St John (county seat) .
• Sumner County: Lighting their county courthouse and annex building green – inside and outside in Wellington (county seat).
• Trego County: Lighting their county courthouse and businesses green in Downtown WaKeeney (county seat).
• Wichita County: Lighting their county courthouse green in Leoti (county seat).
• Wyandotte County: Lighting their county municipal building green in Downtown Kansas City, KS (county seat).

Counties and residents across the state and the country are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

For more information on Operation Green Light, click here.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including 40,000 county elected officials and 3.5 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

The Kansas Association of Counties is a quasi-public agency, which seeks to advance the public interest by promoting effective, responsive county government in Kansas. Founded in 1975, as an instrumentality of its member counties, KAC serves county governments through: legislative representation, technical assistance, leadership, and professional education.