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NEW ULM -- Brown County joined counties nationwide as a Green Light for Veterans County following a resolution by the county commissioners Tuesday morning.
The motion was made by Commissioner David Borchert, who is a veteran.
Operation Green Light is a nationwide project to show support and raise awareness for the services and sacrifices veterans have provided the nation. Support is made visible through the illumination of green light bulbs in the community, publicly recognizing the impact that veterans have made in the community.
The resolution acknowledges Nov. 4-11 as a time to specifically honor those who are transitioning out of active service.
Director of Veteran Services Greg Peterson said that roughly 200,000 service members transition into communities each year.
"Active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during the first year after," Peterson said.
In honor of this declaration, the Veterans Memorial in front of the Brown County Courthouse will be lit up with green lighting Nov. 4-11.
Brown County encourages community members and local businesses to join in honoring veterans by installing green lightbulbs to display outside of their homes or in their windows.
Green lights are available at the New Ulm American Legion.
During the meeting, Peterson also talked about Operation Full Plate, which is an initiative created by the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota.
The initiative collects non-perishable food items and delivers them to veterans, active military members and their families.
In Brown County, 80 boxes of food have been received, with 40 to 50 of them having been distributed by police officers making squad car deliveries.
"The word is getting out and people are very appreciative," Peterson said. "It's amazing how much they appreciate a little bit of help."
Veterans Day programs kick off Wednesday, with MVL holding a Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. in the MVL Fieldhouse.
On Veterans Day, which is next Wednesday, New Ulm High School will hold a Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. in the gym. Later in the night, the Brown County Historical Society will hold a program honoring Captain Willibald Bianchi at 6 p.m.