November 5–11, 2023
WHEREAS, residents across the Town of Danby have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all who have served selflessly their country and this community in the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of those who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining th freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and
WHEREAS, approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually, with studies indicating that 44–72 percent of them experience high levels of stress during their transition from military to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, some among that 200,000 will find their way to the Town of Danby for education, work, or simply a place to call home; and
WHEREAS, while Active Military Service Members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service, entities including the America Legion, Veterans of ForeignWars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Team Red White Blue (RWB), Warrior Writers-Tompkins, church, and other community groups, as well as the Tompkins County Department of Veterans Services stand ready to help ease that transition; and
WHEREAS, Operation Greenlight is an effort to shine a light on the service of Veterans using the color green, which symbolizes hope, renewal, and wellbeing, while showing support for Veterans of all military conflicts, particularly those returning home in recent years, and raise awareness about the many challenges they—and their families—face; and
WHEREAS, in honoring the service and sacrifice of our Veterans our residents are called upon to switch at least one public-facing lightbulb to green to show visible support for our Veterans community during the first full week of November and beyond;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Joel P. Gagnon, Supervisor of the Town of Danby, do hereby proclaim November 5–11, 2023, as “Veterans Week” in the Town of Danby in celebration of our community of Veterans; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, in observance of Operation Green Light, the Supervisor and the Town Board encourages residents—in patriotic tradition—to display a green light in a public-facing entry or window of their place of business or residence during Veterans Week with the hopes that, through this simple act of changing one light to green, we can honor those whose immeasurable sacrifice helped preserve our freedom.
