Governor Hochul Announces Lighting of NYS Landmarks to Mark Veterans Day

12 Landmarks to be Lit Green in Support of All Eras of Military Service

First Veterans Kiosk Installed at the Capital Region Welcome Center to Share Informational Resources for Veterans

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State landmarks will be lit green today, November 11, 2021, to mark Veterans Day.

"Veterans Day is a time to show our appreciation for the brave individuals who have served to protect our democracy and our freedoms," Governor Hochul said. "We will continue to lead on new initiatives, like the completion of the first Veterans Welcome Center Kiosk in the Capital Region, to make sure veterans and their families have the support and resources they need. Today's lighting represents our unwavering support to New York's veterans, showing them we will continue to stand by them and their families every single day."

The landmarks to be lit in recognition of Veterans Day Include:

One World Trade Center
Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
Kosciuszko Bridge
The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
State Education Building
Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
State Fairgrounds - Main Gate and Expo Center
The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
Albany International Airport Gateway
The Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex
MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station

This landmark lighting is a part of Operation Green Light, a new statewide initiative in collaboration with the NYS Association of Counties, the NYS County Veteran Service Officers' Association and the NYS County Executives' Association. This campaign is meant to be a visible representation of support for all eras of military service in the form of green light. These green lights will serve as a beacon of support to show New York's unceasing commitment to those who served.

NYS County Veterans Service Officer Association President Jason Skinner (Iraq War Veteran) said, "I am proud of my community and those who took the light state-wide from Tioga County, Elmira, Syracuse, Monroe County, and now State Landmarks everywhere. Martha Sauerbrey, Stephen Acquario Esq, and Marcus Molinario, have really been the shining example of government and advocacy at its best. This tremendous local initiative now has the support of our state. We share the common goal of honoring those who served. I am blessed to have the support of many and now, I can count one more. Thank you Governor Hochul. I look forward to sustaining collaborative efforts to better serve our veterans together."

NYS Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, "We commend Governor Hochul for joining with counties across the state to shine a light on the service and sacrifice of our veterans and for her commitment to ensuring veterans receive the benefits and support they've earned. Operation Green Light gives individuals, businesses and government leaders a way to reach out and let members of the veteran community know what we're with them and that we appreciate all that they have done to protect our country and our way of life. For this Veterans Day and beyond, we encourage everyone to join with us in displaying a green light of hope and support for the men and women who risked everything for the cause of freedom."

Marcus J. Molinaro, President of the NYS County Executives' Association, "We can never fully repay these American heroes for their service and sacrifice—but we can do better for them. Together, we shine a light of hope and appreciation for those who have served a grateful nation—while highlighting the services and resources Counties across New York provide our veterans. We thank Governor Hochul for joining New York's counties, lighting buildings and structures green, making New York a unified beacon of light to remind us our duty to best serve our veterans, listen to them, learn from them and thank them."

Governor Hochul also announced the installation of the state's first Veterans Welcome Center Kiosk at the Capital Region Welcome Center in New Baltimore. The new kiosk will provide specialized information and assistance and will serve as a gateway for veterans to learn about the programs and services they may be eligible for. The newly built kiosk will enhance awareness of local, state, and federal offerings for veterans and their families.

DVS Executive Deputy Director Joel Evans said, "I applaud Governor Hochul's leadership in creating the first-ever veterans information kiosk in New York State. This platform provides an important opportunity to present veterans with accessible information about the benefits they earned in service to our state and nation. DVS and its partner agencies look forward to using this kiosk to connect with and assist more of New York's veteran families."

At least 60 unique state benefits are currently available to veterans, service members, and their families. These benefits include educational benefits, and priority access to job assistance, to accessing to service-connected disability compensation, and more. The kiosk offers an efficient and understandable manner to learn more about these programs while providing a way for state agencies to follow up with veterans and ensure they are receiving all of the benefits they earned through their military service.

More than 714,000 veterans and their families call New York State home, with roughly 64,000 residing in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Warren, and Washington counties. The Capital Region Welcome Center receives close to 500,000 visitors annually and is a safe, easily accessible location for travelers providing an ideal location for the first Veterans Kiosk in New York State.

In partnership with this initiative the Department of Labor (DOL) will invite veterans to participate in its virtual career center. When in-person services were shut down in 2020, DOL immediately began offering a wide range of virtual career center services. Today, customers can be invited to the Virtual Career Center, which used advanced technology, backed by robust artificial intelligence, to provide job leads that match a job seeker's skills and experience.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "We are forever indebted to our veterans for serving our nation in times of need. The New York State Department of Labor provides all unemployed New Yorkers, including veterans, with services and support to make their career goals become reality. This digital kiosk is part of New York's continued commitment to ensure that our heroes are able to access every resource available to them."

For more information on veteran's benefits, please make an appointment with a Veterans Benefits Advisor with the New York State Division of Veterans' Services at 888-838-7697 or on their website.