Understanding the Green Porch Light
In November each year, you may notice some of your neighbors’ porch lights turning green. While it’s easy to assume that they’re getting a head start on their Christmas decorating, a green porch light actually has a significance that has nothing to do with the holiday season. Americans use green porch lights to show support for U.S. military veterans. The idea began as part of an initiative called the Greenlight a Vet project. According to the campaign, ¡°The simple action of changing one light to green is intended to spark a national conversation regarding the recognition of veterans, and ¡®greenlight’ them forward as valued members of our communities.¡±
I’ve always found it heartwarming to see those green lights pop up in my neighborhood around Veterans Day. It’s such a simple gesture, but it carries a lot of meaning. To add to this, the Greenlight a Vet project isn’t just about lighting up porches¡ªit’s about fostering a sense of community and gratitude. Did you know that there are over 16 million living U.S. veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau? That’s a huge number of people who’ve served, and little actions like switching to a green bulb can make them feel seen. If you’re thinking about joining in, it’s a low-cost way to show support¡ªmost green LED bulbs cost less than $10 and use way less energy than traditional bulbs, so you’re saving a bit on your electric bill too.
How Did the Green Light Tradition Start?
In 2013, Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment initiative, which provides jobs to any honorably discharged U.S. veteran, created an ad campaign asking people to turn on a green porch light as a way to recognize and show appreciation for veterans in their community. They encouraged people to share their support on social media by taking a photo of their green light and sharing it with the hashtag #GreenlightAVet. (A SfnHk editor has reached out to Walmart for comment; Walmart will not confirm whether the initiative is ongoing.)
The Greenlight a Vet initiative is not the only one to shine a light, so to speak, on our country’s veterans: In 2022, The National Association of Counties (NACo) in affiliation with the National Association of County Veterans Services Officers (NACVSO), launched Operation Green Light for Veterans (#OperationGreenLight). In the program’s debut year, over 300 counties participated nationwide, including Fairbanks, Alaska’s North Star Borough and Mohave County, Arizona. Nicole Weissman, NACo’s director of strategic communications, expects the number of participating counties this year to be ¡°significantly larger¡± than it was last year.
¡°We must support our veterans and their families¡ªnot only during Operation Green Light but all year round,¡± says NACo President Jo McGuire. ¡°Counties are advocating for legislation to secure appropriate resources at the local level to help veterans access their federal benefits, ease their transition into civilian life, and support their long-term health and well-being.¡±
The association explains, ¡°By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.¡± NACo’s initiative encourages all U.S. counties and parishes to show support for military veterans by illuminating courthouses, offices, and other municipal buildings in green from November 4¨C11, the week of Veterans Day.
In September 2023, the House of Representatives introduced House Resolution 750, a bipartisan bill recognizing Operation Green Light for Veterans for ¡°supporting veterans and¡help[ing] veterans transition to civilian life.¡±
I remember driving through a small town last November and seeing entire courthouses glowing green¡ªit was such a powerful sight. What’s cool about these initiatives is how they’ve grown over the years. For example, the NACo reports that participation in Operation Green Light jumped by about 20% from 2022 to 2023, with more counties signing on to light up their buildings. If you’re wondering how to get involved, it’s super easy to join the movement. You don’t need to overhaul your whole lighting setup¡ªjust grab a green bulb or, if you’re fancy, use a smart light system to switch colors. Plus, sharing a photo with #GreenlightAVet or #OperationGreenLight on social media can spread the word and inspire others in your community to do the same.
Using Smart Exterior Lighting to Show Your Support for Veterans
Though you can purchase green-tinted light bulbs to illuminate your home’s exterior, homeowners who have smart lighting systems only need to press a button on their smartphone to show their support for U.S. veterans. Those who have the Philips Hue Smart Light kit, for example, can set their exterior LEDs to glow green, and use a voice assistant to control the lights’ settings.
BobVila.com staff writer Glenda Taylor swears by Enbrighten’s Eternity Permanent Outdoor Lights, which she has installed at her home. ¡°I’m super-impressed with Enbrighten’s permanent lights,¡± she says. ¡°The app is easy to use, and I can configure the lights in an endless array of color tones to fit any mood or occasion.¡± The video above shows how stunning Taylor’s home looks when she switches the lights to green.
I’ve been eyeing smart lighting systems myself, and I gotta say, the convenience is a game-changer. With something like the Philips Hue, you can switch to green for Veterans Day, then flip to festive red and green for Christmas without ever climbing a ladder. Smart lights aren’t just cool for aesthetics¡ªthey’re energy-efficient too. According to Energy Star, LED smart bulbs can use up to 75% less energy than incandescent ones. If you’re on a budget, though, a standard green LED bulb works just as well and costs as little as $4.83 at places like The Home Depot. One tip: make sure your outdoor fixture is weatherproof if you’re using a regular bulb, as some cheaper ones aren’t built for rain or snow.
Why Green Lights on Houses, Rather Than Another Color?
Now that you understand the origin of these veterans initiatives, you may still be wondering why the color green, and not another hue, was chosen. Green is a color that is often associated with the military because of the green uniforms traditionally worn by troops, but there’s a more symbolic meaning as well. According to the Greenlight a Vet campaign, ¡°Green is the color of hope, renewal and well-being.¡± They add that ¡°¡®Greenlight’ is also a term commonly used to activate forward movement.¡±
The choice of green really hits home for me, especially since I’ve got family members who served. The color feels so fitting¡ªnot just because of the military connection but because it’s uplifting. Psychologically, green is known to evoke feelings of calm and optimism, which aligns perfectly with the idea of supporting veterans as they move forward in civilian life. If you’re curious about the science, studies in color psychology suggest green can reduce stress and promote a sense of balance, which is a subtle but meaningful nod to veterans’ well-being. If you’re thinking about other ways to show support, consider pairing your green light with a small flag or a veteran-owned business sticker to amplify the message.
When Should You Shine a Green Porch Light on Your Home?
While Veterans Day on November 11 is the most symbolic time of year to show support for America’s troops, why not follow Operation Green Light for Veterans’ lead and shine the light for the whole week of Veterans Day, or even keep your green light up year-round to show your ongoing appreciation for our military?
In Prattville, Alabama, community advocate Julie Cooley, who is also a military spouse and mother, went a little further. She encouraged ¡°neighbors, municipalities and businesses to show their love and support of our veterans this week. Some choose to put signage on their marquis, some offer discounts, some turn their lights green! What’s important is that our military veterans and their families feel a great big hug from their Prattville community.¡±
¡°One of NACo’s goals for Operation Green Light is to equip counties to participate in a way that’s meaningful to veterans in their community, so we’re always looking for ways to do that,¡± says Weissman. In some counties, she says, this outreach includes ¡°distributing green light bulbs or otherwise encouraging residents to participate¡± in Operation Green Light for Veterans. If you’d like to show your support for veterans this month, pick up a green light bulb at your local hardware store¡ªor at one of the following retailers.
Where to Buy Green Light Bulbs
- Get the Bluex LED A19 Green Bulbs (2-pack) at Amazon for $9.99.
- Get the Feit Electric LED Light Bulb Green Colored Clear Glass at The Home Depot for $4.83.
- Get the Great Value LED Light Bulbs, Green, 2-pack at Walmart for $5.97.
- Get the Philips 90-Watt Equivalent PAR 38 LED Flood Green Light Bulb at The Home Depot for $9.98.
- Get the Wintergreen Lighting 25-watt Equivalent ST64/E26 LED Light Bulb at Wayfair for $15.99.
Prices provided here are accurate as of November 1, 2024.
Show us your green porch lights! Please tag #bobvilahome on Instagram.
I’ve found that keeping the green light up for the whole week of Veterans Day feels like a nice way to extend the gratitude, especially since veterans’ contributions don’t just stop after one day. If you’re worried about costs, don’t sweat it¡ªLED bulbs are super affordable, and running one for a week might add less than a dollar to your energy bill, based on average electricity rates. For those who want to go the extra mile, check with your local veterans’ organizations¡ªsome offer free green bulbs during November as part of community outreach programs. It’s a small way to make a big impact, and it’s something I’ve seen bring neighbors together in my own town.