Butte County celebrates Veterans Day

BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. 

Butte County is celebrating Veterans Day by participating in Operation Green Light Supporting Veterans.

Below is a message from Matthew McCoy, Veteran's Service Officer at the Butte County Department of Employment and Social Services:

Butte County is once again supporting the nation’s Veterans by participating in Operation Green Light.   Operation Green Light is an initiative sponsored by the National Association of County Offices (NACO), and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO), of which Butte County is a proud member of both, and a participant in Operation Green Light.  The purpose of Operation Green Light is twofold: first to shine a light on the veterans in our community, their accomplishments and their contributions, and two: to give Veterans the go ahead to seek the benefits they may be entitled.  This year, County buildings are lit in green light from October through Veterans Day, providing illumination on the veterans in our community.

 Reasons for serving in the Armed Services vary from veteran to veteran, but all have sacrificed to provide for the safety and security of our country.  This service rarely ends when we take off our uniforms for the last time.  Many veterans don a new uniform as law enforcement officers, first responders, doctors, nurses, civil servants and hold elected offices at all levels of government.  Veterans leave the service, and start new journeys as craftsmen and women, artists, teachers, and leaders in business.  Operation Green Light shines a spotlight on these veterans’ service, sacrifices in the armed services, and shines a light on their accomplishments and contributions in our community.

 It is also an opportunity to shine a light on those who are struggling with their time in service.   Our nation has lost over 30,000 veterans to suicide since 2001, and the suicide rate of veterans Is 1.57 to 1.66 times higher than nonveterans.  Many veterans do not know the benefits their honorable service has secured for them, to include monetary programs such as compensation and pension, as well as medical and mental health services through the VA’s clinics, hospitals and Vet Centers across this nation.  Like a green light at a traffic light, Operation Green Light should serve as the go-ahead for our veterans to seek the benefits available.

 Operation Green Light raises the awareness of resources and benefits available to our veterans and their dependents.  Over 14,000 veterans call Butte County home, and we are proud to serve our veterans at the Butte County Veterans Service Office.  The Butte County Veterans Service Office has been serving the veteran community here in Bute County since 1945.  Our office is staffed with honorably discharged veterans, who are committed to serving our fellow veterans, their dependents and their survivors.

 If you are a veteran in crisis, or know a veteran in crisis, don’t wait.  Call the Veterans Crisis Line 988 and then press one.  Seek assistance at the Chico Vet Center, or the VA Community Outpatient clinic.  If you need assistance understanding or applying for veteran benefits, please call us at (530) 552-6608 and make an appointment with our nationally accredited staff of Veterans Service Representatives.  This Veterans Day, join us in shining a light of hope and support. Join Operation Green Light and let’s turn Butte County green for our veterans.