PORT ORCHARD — Kitsap County is asking residents and businesses to display green lights in a window from Nov. 4 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The lights honor service members making the move to civilian life.
County commissioners approved the Operation Green Light for Veterans proclamation Oct. 26. Commissioner Katie Walters said county buildings in Port Orchard, including the courthouse, will be lit green that week.
The proclamation notes that about 200,000 service members return to civilian communities each year. It also says those leaving the military face a high risk of suicide during their first year out. The National Association of Counties promotes the campaign nationwide.
Commission Chair Oran Root said many transitioning service members are looking for work and purpose. “They sign a blank check for our country, and I think they bring a lot of skills to the private sector,” he said.
Commissioners also approved proclamations recognizing:
- November as Native American Heritage Month. The proclamation honors the Suquamish, S’Klallam and Skokomish peoples and encourages visits to the Suquamish Museum, the Dungeness River Nature Center and the Skokomish Tribal Center. Hoskett Hall, who is Makah, Jamestown S’Klallam and Quileute and directs the infant-toddler program at Holly Ridge Center, spoke at the meeting.
- November as “Movember,” a month of awareness for men’s health issues including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide.
- Oct. 28 as National Public Works First Responder Day, recognizing road crews and other public works employees who respond during storms, floods and other emergencies.
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