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Special recognition honoring our Military Veterans for Veterans Day 2023 and recognizing November 6 through November 12, 2023 as Operation Green Light for Veterans.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, the United States celebrates veterans and military service members who served or are serving on active duty, in the reserves, or in the National Guard every November 11 on Veterans Day; and
WHEREAS, Lake County has a unique role in our nation’s defense as the home of Naval Station Great Lakes, the Fort Sheridan Reserve Center, and the Lovell Federal Health Care Center; and
WHEREAS, veterans and members of the armed forces are shining examples in our community of service, courage, sacrifice, and resilience; and
WHEREAS, approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually and many continue to serve in our community through veterans service organizations, religious groups, civil service, or as County Veteran Service Officers to help fellow former service members access federal health, disability, and compensation benefits each year; and
WHEREAS, studies indicate that service members experience high levels of stress while transitioning from military to civilian life to include higher risk for suicide; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County plays a vital role in supporting our veterans and their families by providing advocacy, financial help, burial assistance, and much more free of charge and can be contacted at 847-377-3344; and
WHEREAS, Lake County strives to ensure that veteran’s personal stories are never forgotten, making them available to future generations, and will continue this tradition by inviting veterans to participate in the Veterans History Project; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties encourages all counties, parishes, and boroughs to recognize November 6 through November 12, 2023 as Operation Green Light for Veterans to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, Lake County appreciates and honors the contributions and sacrifices of our United States military personnel, veterans, and their families; and will continue to support them in peace, in crisis, and in war.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that on Veterans Day we honor the service, courage and sacrifice of every veteran, service member, and their families, especially those from Lake County; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that Lake County is a Green Light for Veterans County and the County hereby declares November 6 through November 12, 2023, as a time to recognize the ongoing service, contributions, and challenges of those transitioning from active military service back to our community; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that in observance of Veterans Day and Operation Green Light, Lake County encourages its residents to recognize and honor all those in our community who made immeasurable contributions and sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying a green light in a window of their business or residence.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on October 10, 2023.