Clermont County will begin lighting several Batavia government buildings green on Wednesday, Nov. 4, as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a national effort tied to the Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday.
The county said the green illumination will continue through the rest of November at the Heritage Building/Veterans' Service Commission on South Riverside Drive, the Administration Building and Court of Common Pleas on East Main Street, the Public Defender's Office, and Permit Central on Bauer Road.
According to the county, this is the fifth year for the campaign, which is led by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. The effort is intended to draw attention to challenges veterans face and to resources available through county, state and federal agencies.
Commissioner Bonnie Batchler, president of the Board of Commissioners, said in the announcement that many veterans do not know about benefits they could receive. Commissioners David Painter and Claire Corcoran also voiced support, with Painter describing the lights as a reminder of military service and Corcoran calling the campaign a way to express gratitude.
Residents and businesses are invited to place green lights on their homes or other buildings, and the county encourages social media users to use #OperationGreenLight.
Separately, the Clermont County Council of the American Legion and the Clermont County Veterans Service Commission will hold a veterans parade in downtown Batavia on Sunday, Nov. 8. A program is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Common Pleas Court, with the parade stepping off at 2 p.m. and heading east from Haskell Lane.
Steve Balczo, a retired Marine sergeant major and executive director of the county Veterans Service Commission, is listed as keynote speaker. Painter is to present a proclamation, and Batavia Mayor Steve Staton will present a resolution renaming the East Fork Little Miami River bridge as the Veterans & First Responders Memorial Bridge.