‘Greenlight a Vet’ raises awareness for veterans

(ABC 6 News) – People across Olmsted and Mower counties are showing support for veterans ahead of Veteran Day, which is Friday, November 11. 

RELATED: Olmsted County and City of Rochester join “Operation Green Light” in support of Veterans Day

Both counties are participating in the “Greenlight a Vet” campaign, where people and businesses change a lightbulb to a green light as a symbol of appreciation and support for those who have served. 

“So far people are just all smiles and love supporting the veterans. ‘We will do this, we will put a green light on our porch, we will put a green light in our window, I’m really looking forward to the evening, to see how many green lights on my way home are shining,” says Mower County Veterans Service Officer and U.S. Army Veteran Rod Streich. “I hope it keeps on building from here year after year. If I see a green light then I know that those people appreciated what I did, just gives me a little warm fuzzy inside.”

This is the first year the initiative is being done nationwide through county Veteran Service Officers. 

In Austin, VFW Post 1216 is turning on a green light for everyone to see. 

“This is the one that we have, to represent the greenlight here. During normal business hours is when people are coming in so that’s when they see it,” says VFW Post 1216 Commander and U.S. Army Veteran Scott Wiechmann. “I think anytime as a country, or a county, or a city, or as a citizen, that you can show support for veterans, that’s a good thing to bring awareness to veterans and veterans’ issues. 

For those involved who want to further share their support, they can post a picture of their green light and post it on social media using the hashtag #GreenlightAVet.