DEPARTMENT: Veterans Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Proclamation Of Operation Green Light For Veterans Week In Dakota County November 4-11, 2025
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim the week of November 4-11, 2025, as Operation Green Light for Veterans Week in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Dakota County Veterans Services has a long and proud history of serving our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families, whose contributions and sacrifices, including placing themselves in harm’s way, have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens. This legacy continues to this day as staff work with federal, state, and local partners to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Operation Green Light for Veterans is an initiative that was started by a collaboration of public agencies in New York State to show support for those who have served their nation and connect them with benefits. Approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually. Studies indicate that 44-72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life, and active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service.
Lighting up homes, businesses, and government buildings in green, the color that stands for “go” and symbolizes hope, renewal, and well-being, is a way to visibly show that the community honors the service and sacrifice of veterans, active military, and their families, and encourages veterans to reach out to their county veteran service officers. While many veterans simply blend in with ordinary society when not in uniform, making it more difficult to honor those who served, Dakota County wants them to know their sacrifice, and that of their families, is appreciated and believes specific recognition should be granted.
By Resolution No. 23-495 (October 24, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaimed the week of November 6-12, 2023, as Operation Green Light for Veterans week and lit up County service centers to celebrate all veterans. Again, this year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has embraced Operation Green Light nationally and is inviting counties across the United States to join Operation Green Light.
Staff requests that the week of November 4-11, 2025, which includes the Veterans Day holiday, be proclaimed Operation Green Light week in Dakota County. In observance of this proclamation, the Northern Service Center, Western Service Center, and Administration Center buildings will be lit up in green during this week. Staff will use inexpensive green filters with the building’s existing lights to create the green light. Dakota County residents and businesses are also encouraged to shine a green light, to let the military community know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported, and their service to our nation is always present.
OUTCOMES
Service members, veterans, and their families will feel their sacrifice and service to their country are appreciated and honored.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the week of November 4-11, 2025, be proclaimed Operation Green Light week in Dakota County, and in observance of the proclamation, the Northern Service Center, Western Service Center, and Administration Center will be lit in green from November 4-11, 2025, to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of veterans and active service members.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Dakota County Veterans Services has a long and proud history of serving our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families, whose contributions and sacrifices, including placing themselves in harm’s way, have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and
WHEREAS, this legacy continues to this day as staff work with federal, state, and local partners to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have access to the resources they need to thrive; and
WHEREAS, Operation Green Light for Veterans is an initiative that was started by a collaboration of public agencies in New York State to show support for those who have served their nation and connect them with benefits; and
WHEREAS, approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually; and
WHEREAS, studies indicate that 44-72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life, and active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service; and
WHEREAS, lighting up homes, businesses, and government buildings in green, the color that stands for “go” and symbolizes hope, renewal, and well-being, is a way to visibly show that the community honors the service and sacrifice of veterans, active military, and their families, and encourages veterans to reach out to their county veteran service officers; and
WHEREAS, while many veterans simply blend in with ordinary society when not in uniform, making it more difficult to honor those who served, Dakota County wants them to know their sacrifice and that of their families is appreciated and believes specific recognition should be granted; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-495 (October 24, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaimed the week of November 6-12, 2023, as Operation Green Light for Veterans week and lit up County service centers to celebrate all veterans; and
WHEREAS, again, this year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has embraced Operation Green Light nationally and is inviting counties across the United States to join Operation Green Light; and
WHEREAS, staff requests that the week of November 4-11, 2025, which includes the Veterans Day holiday, be proclaimed Operation Green Light week in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, in observance of this proclamation, the Northern Service Center, Western Service Center, and Administration Center buildings will be lit up in green during this week; and
WHEREAS, staff will use inexpensive green filters with the building’s existing lights to create the green light; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County residents and businesses are also encouraged to shine a green light, to let the military community know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported and their service to our nation is always present.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaims November 4-11, 2025, as Operation Green Light for Veterans Week, a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of those who have served, are currently serving, and their families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That in observance of Operation Green Light, the Dakota County Northern Service Center, Western Service Center, and Administration Center will be lit in green from November 4-11, 2025, and residents and businesses are encouraged to also shine a green light to let the military community know that they are seen, appreciated, supported and their service to our nation is always present.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
23-495; 10/24/23
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Lisa Thomas
Author: Lisa Thomas