Operation Green Light | New York State Association of Counties

Operation Green Light is a campaign designed to show support for our nation's veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties' ability to support veterans.

Launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the NYSAC, NYSCEA, the NYS County Veteran Service Officers' Association, the campaign has been adopted by National Association of Counties (NACo) and has spread to hundreds of counties and local governments across the United States.

Join Operation Green Light

Operation Green Light is now a national campaign led by the National Association of Counties (NACo)!

Visit NACo's Operation Green Light webpage for all the latest info as well as resources to help your county participate.

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County Veteran Services

In addition to creating a visible symbol of support for veterans, Operation Green Light is about raising awareness of the local role in supporting New York's veteran community and the resources available to them.

In 1945, New York State passed legislation requiring counties to the establish and maintain a County Veterans Service Agency.

County Veterans' Service Officers provide personalized service to veterans and their dependents. There is no comparable advocacy service for that special group of New York citizens. All services are provided without charge. Service Officers are knowledgeable in federal, state and local laws pertaining to veterans.

Assistance in the following areas is provided to thousands of veterans, military personnel, and their dependents year after year:

VA compensation for service-connected disabilities
VA pension for non-service-connected disabilities
VA compensation/pension to family members of deceased veterans
VA burial benefits and grave markers
VA life insurance
VA health care
VA education and vocational rehabilitation

VA home loan guaranties
VA, State & Local employment and reemployment
Military records
Federal, State & Local medals or awards
Local real property tax exemption
NYS blind annuity
Other Federal, State and Local benefits

Some Veterans' Service Agencies provide additional services unique to the needs of their particular areas such as:

transportation service to VA Medical Centers
in-home visits to assist the housebound with claims for entitlements
satellite offices for the convenience of their constituents
assistance and training for veterans' organizations
information to community service organizations

local veterans' cemetery programs
notary service
assistance in obtaining legal documents (marriage, birth, military, etc.)
cooperative programs with other agencies (employment, welfare, etc.)
assistance with community affairs (memorial services, job fairs, etc.)

Learn More About County Veteran Service Offices

In this Virtual Roundtable discussion, Tioga County Director of Veterans Services Michael Michael Middaugh, joined NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire to discuss the work of County Veteran Service Officers and what NYSAC will be advocating for in the coming year to support veterans and local veteran services.

Find Your County Veterans Service Office

See a complete listing of county Veterans Service Offices

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