Encourages Residents and Businesses to Participate in
Operation Green Light to Shine a Light on Veterans
Schenectady County will light up bridges and buildings in green starting tonight as part of Operation Green Light from November 4-11. The train station, Key Hall, Erie Boulevard and State Street train bridges, City Hall, and the Schenectady Municipal Parking Garage will be lit up in green to show support and gratitude for men and women who served our country in the armed forces.
“We’re proud to support Operation Green Light and invite everyone in our community to join us in illuminating their homes and businesses in green from now until Veterans Day,” said Schenectady County Legislator Holly Vellano, Chair of the Military Affairs & Veterans Committee. “This simple gesture is a powerful way to express our gratitude for our veterans and honor their service and sacrifice, serving as a reminder that they are never forgotten.”
With over 7,200 veterans calling Schenectady County home, we recognize the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by those who have served our nation. The County is committed to providing services to our veterans, to ensure they receive the support, resources, and recognition they deserve.
Veterans Service Agency
Our Veteran Service Agency provides comprehensive assistance to veterans, guiding them through the Department of Veterans Affairs and advising them on available benefits tailored to their service. From aiding in benefit applications to addressing queries and tracking claims through the VA system, the VSA works to help veterans receive the support they deserve.
https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/veterans
Veterans Peer-to-Peer Network
Discover Schenectady County's PFC Joseph Dwyer program, a local initiative committed to offering peer support to our veteran community. Collaborating with various local organizations and programs, the Dwyer program ensures accessibility by meeting veterans where they are. Through hosting meetings and organizing activities, this program welcomes individuals who have served, irrespective of their veteran status, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/vetpeernetwork
Honor A Veteran Program
The Honor-A-Veteran program is a collaboration between Schenectady County’s Veterans Service Agency and the County’s Honor-A-Veteran Committee to honor veterans who were either born in or currently reside in Schenectady County.
https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/veterans
Veterans Division in the 55th Annual Holiday Parade on November 23
In 2023, the County Legislature introduced a new Veterans Division in the Annual Holiday Parade to honor veterans for their dedicated service to our country. This year, the Legislature made this division a permanent feature of the parade, placing it in a position of honor directly behind this year’s Grand Marshal.
Capital Region residents who have served in the military are encouraged to register for the Veterans Division, either as individuals or as part of a Veterans organization, by visiting www.schenectadycountyny.gov/parade. Participants can choose to walk or ride along the parade route, with trolley transportation provided by CDTA for those who request it. The parade steps off in downtown Schenectady starting at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
Schenectady County Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Schenectady County dedicated its Vietnam Veterans Memorial at SUNY Schenectady in October 2021. The memorial is located between the back parking lot and State Street, and includes a memorial plaque, a concrete viewing area with granite benches, lighting, and a flagpole.
Purple Heart Community
The Schenectady County Legislature passed a resolution in February of 2021 proclaiming Schenectady County as a Purple Heart Community. The designation honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women in uniform who were wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
Visit www.schenectadycountyny.gov/veterans more information about veterans services provided by the County.