As Veterans Day approaches on Saturday, Nov. 11, Montgomery County has joined the national “Operation Green Light” salute to veterans from Nov. 6-12. The County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs is seeking additions to its virtual tribute to County veterans. And for those who want to attend ceremonies on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, several events will be held around the County. One ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council are supporting Operation Green Light, a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties to honor those who have made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom. The program asks for displays of a green light, from Nov. 6-12, in a window of businesses or residences to honor veterans.
From Nov. 6-12, Montgomery County’s Memorial Plaza, which is located adjacent to the County Executive Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville, will be lit with green lights.
More information about Operation Green Light is available at https://www.naco.org/blog/counties-take-action-participate-operation-green-light-veterans.
The U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey estimates that there are approximately 30,899 veterans living in Montgomery County. According to the American Community Survey, 3.8 percent of all Americans self-reported as being a veteran. The Census Bureau defines veteran as men and women who have served (even for a short time), but are not currently serving, on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or the Coast Guard, or who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. People who served in the National Guard or Reserves are classified as veterans only if they were ever called or ordered to active duty, not counting the four-to-six months for initial training or yearly summer camps.
Veterans Day ceremonies will be held at several locations throughout the County. Among those ceremonies will be:
- Saturday, Nov. 11. 10:45 a.m. Veterans Park, Bethesda. 62nd Annual Bethesda Veterans Day Ceremonies. Corner of Norfolk Avenue and Woodmont Avenue. Sponsored by Montgomery County’s Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center Office, the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and Daughters of the American Revolution. Navy Captain Alan Christian, NSA Bethesda will be the featured speaker. There will be musical performances by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Brass Players and Chamber Singers. The Gaithersburg High School NJROTC Color Guard Cadets will participate. For more information, e-mail janetammerman@gmail.com.
- Saturday, Nov. 11. 11 a.m. Veterans Park, at the intersection of MD Route 28 and Rockville Pike in Rockville. Rockville’s Mayor and Council will continue the city’s traditional ceremonies. American Legion Post 86 will lead the wreath-laying ceremony and its honor guard will present a 21-gun salute. Free parking will be available at Sandy Spring Bank, 611 Rockville Pike.
- Saturday, Nov. 11. 11 a.m. The City of Gaithersburg’s annual Veterans Day Observance will take place at the City Hall Concert Pavilion. City officials and members of local veterans groups will honor those who have served in all branches of the military. Officials, veterans and community organizations will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a reception inside City Hall. The special guest speaker will be Paul Fowler, the chief risk officer in the United States Public Health Service. The Gaithersburg High School Jazz Ensemble will perform patriotic music and Gaithersburg High School Band member Abigail Namikisa will play “Taps.” A reception with refreshments will immediately follow the ceremony in the City Hall Gallery. For more information, go to https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/special-events/veterans-day-observance
- Saturday, Nov. 11. 11 a.m. VFW Post 2562 and American Legion Post 268 host ceremonies at Wheaton Veterans Park, 11200 Amherst Ave. in Wheaton. For more information, contact vfwpost2562@comcast.net.
- Sunday, Nov. 12. 2:30 p.m. Jewish War Veterans Lt. Harold E. Greenberg-Albert I. Lerner Post 692 Veterans Day program. Bender Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Rd., Rockville. The guest speaker will be Colonel David Brog, USAF (Ret). Additional speakers will be Anthony Woods, the Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Colonel Barry Lischinsky, USAF (Ret), the National Commander, JWV. Voice of Vets will provide musical selections.
In addition, there will be Montgomery County veterans’ tributes during the month of November in the display cases at the Rockville Memorial Library and the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza.
Many people confuse Memorial Day in May and Veterans Day in November. Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, the upcoming holiday is set aside to honor all of those who served honorably in the military—in wartime or peacetime. Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans and acknowledge their contributions to national security.
The commission is seeking to expand the Tribute to Montgomery County Veterans website by adding information on more veterans whose information is supplied either by the veterans themselves, by family members or by friends.
The tribute to veterans website can be found at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/veteransday. From this site, there is a link to the commission’s Fallen Heroes page at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fallenheroes.
A veteran can share their story, or someone can share the story of a friend or family member, by filling out the Commission’s Google form or filling out its PDF form. Questions can be directed to MCCVA@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The following information is needed on the forms:
- Veteran's name.
- Name of person submitting information and relationship to the individual.
- Branch of service and rank.
- Years of service.
- Era served (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Global War on Terror or peacetime/other).
- Brief narrative of their service.
- Connection to Montgomery County (where the individual currently lives, grew up, attended high school or college/university, etc.).
- Photos (preferably one during their service and one present day).
To learn more about the Montgomery Commission on Veterans Affairs, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cva.
