ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828NewsNow.com) — The Buncombe County Courthouse was lit up with green lights starting on the night of Nov. 4 to honor veterans ahead of Veterans Day, which is on Nov. 11.
For the next 11 days, the county said it will be performing its annual Operation Green Light to “commemorate veterans and shine a light on the support services that Buncombe County has to offer,” the county said in a Nov. 4 news release.
In addition to the courthouse being lit up green at night from Nov. 4-11, Buncombe County Health and Human Services will also be lit up with green lights at night, the release said.
Operation Green Light is a national initiative that aims to let those who served know they are seen, appreciated and supported, the county said in the release.
The county also announced its annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be at 11 a.m. at the Charles George VA Medical Center, located at 1100 Tunnel Rd. in Asheville.
The keynote speaker will be Kevin Rumley, who is the Veterans Treatment Court Program director, a Marine Corps veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.
The program will also include readings from Brothers and Sisters Like These, musical selections by the A.C. Reynolds Choral Group and a presentation of colors by the Owen High School JROTC, the release said.
Following the ceremony, there will be an unveiling of a bench carved from salvaged wood from Helene by chainsaw artist and veteran Mike Ayers. This memorial honors veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.