From the Bluefield Daily Telegraph:
PRINCETON — A resolution supporting a program for honoring veterans and the sacrifices they make during and after their service in all branches of the Armed Forces was unanimously approved Monday by the Mercer County Commission.
“The residents of Mercer County have the great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all men and women who have selflessly served our country and this community in the Armed Forces,” Mercer County Commission President Bill Archer said as he read the Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans. “The contributions and sacrifices of those who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens.”
Mercer County seeks to honor individuals who made countless sacrifices for freedom by placing themselves in harms’ way for the good of all, Archer read from the resolution.
“Veterans continue to serve our community in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, religious groups, civil service, and by functioning as County Veterans Service Officers in 29 states to help fellow former service members access more than $52 billion in federal health, disability and compensation benefits each year,” Archer said.
Around 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually and an estimated 44 to 72% of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life, according to the resolution. Active service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during the first year after military service. The National Association of Counties (NACo) encourages all counties, parishes and boroughs to recognize Operation Green Light for Veterans.
Tuesday, Nov.11, Veterans Day, is a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifices of men and women in uniform transitioning from active service, according to the resolution. During this period, the Mercer County Commission is encouraging the county’s citizens to recognize and honor veterans by displaying green lights in a window of their businesses or residences from Nov.4 through Nov. 11.
“This is the third Green Light for Veterans event that Mercer County has participated in,” said Commissioner Greg Puckett. “Last year, most of the counties across the state of West Virginia and many of the 3,069 counties that are across the United States participated in this as well in honor of the Green Light for Veterans Event. NACo has really worked to celebrate the veterans on a national scale and by doing this as a go command. We encourage everybody in the communities to do the same and put a green light in their home, business and so on. I do appreciate this. Again, as part of NACo’s ongoing effort to recognize veterans.”
Commissioner Gene Buckner also joined in thanking veterans for their service.
“Can’t say enough about the veterans,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here, and I just appreciate everything they’ve ever done. All the wars that have been fought and kept us free.”
Archer spoke about his firsthand experiences with the sacrifices veterans make when they fight in wars overseas.
“As the son of a World War II veteran who suffered severely from what was called shell shock back in the Fifties, one of my earliest memories of how that manifested in him was just grabbing a hold of me and shaking and scared me to death,” Archer said. “Not knowing what it was, but he was the commander of a 105 howitzer crew that was launching shells across France and into Germany; so he had plenty of stuff to shake out, but anything I could do for him was easy after my mom explained what was going on and that it was still what he brought home with him from service overseas.”
“As a result, I’ve always had a great love and appreciation for all those who served in whatever branch of the military and I hope all the citizens with us, the county commission, will join in honoring those people in this Operation Green Light,” Archer said.
For more information about Operation Green Light, visit the NACo website.
— Contact Greg Jordan at [email protected]
