Operation Green Light for Veterans is a display of  shining green light on government buildings or residential homes from Nov. 4-11 to let Veterans know they are being seen, appreciated and supported. Chenango County Office Building will be participating again this year in thanks for our local veterans. (Photo from Chenango County Veterans Services office)

NORWICH — During the recent board of supervisors meeting, recognition was given to Operation Green Light, a program that provides the opportunity to appreciate veterans and acknowledge the challenges associated with transitioning to civilian life.

The Chenango County Office Building, and local communities will light up green as a sign of respect and appreciation for service members from November 4 to November 11, Veterans Day.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors expressed respect and gratitude for all of the men and women in the Armed Forces.

Chenango County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) and military veteran Megan Ferrara said Operation Green Light as a great way to show support for veterans and how they are recognized in the community, not just here, but nationwide.

"It's also a great opportunity for people in our community to do the same, lighting up their homes, so, when veterans are driving around and see the lights, they can see that it's in support of them," said Ferrara.

She explained that the Chenango County Veterans Service Department helps veterans, their spouses, their dependents or other eligible survivors understand and access the VA benefits or other benefits that are available to them.

Benefits include help with VA disability compensation claims, applications for pension, gathering military medical records, understanding the evidence needed to support claims, housing, and more. When applying for SNAP, Ferrara said she can walk them down to DSS and do a warm handoff.

Chenango County Veteran Services meetings are by appointment only. To schedule, call 607-337-1775.

Ferrara said she sees a mix of ages in her office but definitely a strong majority of the veterans are elderly, 65 and above. Vietnam War veterans, Desert Shield and Desert Storm veterans, that have been out 20 years, or more, are now ready to file for their benefits.

She explained the VA process to get disability ratings for benefits, comes with a lot of appointments and is lengthy. Even when all of the paperwork in, the veteran is a victim of the system of waiting for the rating, adding, "The VA is currently understaffed and backlogged."

“I feel like a lot of veterans feel as though they are a forgotten community," said Ferrara. "I feel like there should be more support for veterans and more funding from the government."

"The challenge of transitioning from military to civilian is a bigger adjustment than even military members recognize when getting out," Ferrara said.

She explained the time spent in the military is a well defined time with distinct roles, focus on missions and routines, along with a built in community.

Living a structured life in the military and then once out, is different. Ferrara said it affects spouses, children, and loved ones as they support the veteran who now must relearn who they are.

"The people that served beside the veteran are the only ones that will ever really know what it was that they went through as active-duty service members," she added.

Ferrara noted the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood inside the military is like nothing anyone else can relate to, and when a veteran goes out to the civilian life, it can be daunting to find yourself again, as the structure is completely different.

"Some people enter the military at a young age, some their first job they have ever had, and they have a sense of purpose," she said. "But once they are out, they wonder what their purpose is now."

Ferrara noted it is even harder for the veteran who served in a combat role or overseas and now is dealing with invisible injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and find it difficult to talk about those things with anyone.

"So, for a lot of veterans we help with the transition to link the veteran to sources they may need," she added.

Ferrara noted the gesture to just thank a veteran for their service is greatly appreciated, but said they don't want to be catered to or treated differently than anyone else. 

She said they served their country just for the love of the country, their family, and for people they will never meet.

There is also a strong interest in the veteran suicide prevention program, and her office reaches out often to county veterans.

Ferrara said about 18 veterans a day commit suicide. The latest VA national data base as of September 30, noted 6,488 veterans died by suicide in the United.

For support during a crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (veterans press 1) or text at 838255. Confidential support is available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Operation Green Light was launched in 2021, as a collaboration between the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State Council of Educational Association and the New York State CVSO Association.

According to the Operation Green Light for Veterans website at naco.org, CVSOs serve as essential advocates for veterans and their families, helping fellow former service members access federal health, disability, and compensation benefits each year.