On Saturday, Nov. 5, everyone is encouraged to come together and recognize our local veterans at the 2022 NC Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, hosted by the Wake County Veterans Council.
“Wake County has the highest population of veterans in the state, with more than 50,000 calling our community home,” said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. “Our Veterans Services staff work to provide quality services for our veterans. Around Veterans Day, we take the opportunity to go even further and invite the community to join us in thanking these service members and their families for their sacrifice.”
The parade is expected to begin at 9 a.m. at W. Lenoir Street in downtown Raleigh and move up Fayetteville Street to the Capitol Building. The parade will feature more than 80 groups from various veterans’ organizations, several high school Junior ROTC units and other military and veteran-related groups.
Following the parade, attendees are encouraged to stay for the Veterans Day Ceremony to be held around 11 a.m. at the north side of the Capital Building. Featured speakers include Andrea Allard, the director of Transition Services with the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Commissioner Adamson. U.S. Congressional Representative Deborah Ross is also scheduled to attend.
“Although we can never repay the debt we owe our veterans, we can celebrate those – past and present – who have given so much in defense of our country,” said Wake County Veterans Council President Richard Spyrison. “Parades like this, and all those happening across the country, are a great way to draw attention to the veterans in our communities and show these men and women the honor and respect they deserve.”
During Saturday’s events, veterans will be honored from the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom eras.
Operation Greenlight
On the Monday following the parade, Wake County will kick off Operation Greenlight – a week to salute service men and women by asking everyone to shine a green light from their homes or businesses. The Wake County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to illuminate Wake County buildings and encourage all of Wake County to glow green during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 7–13.
Operation Greenlight was started in New York, and when it was recently presented to the National Association of Counties’ Veterans and Military Services Committee, on which Commissioner Adamson serves, she began an effort to spread awareness throughout the county and state on this initiative to rally support for veterans.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly 200,000 service members face a stressful transition to civilian life each year. Their first year out of the military is a critical time, with the risk for suicide increasing by nearly 50%. This campaign hopes to help highlight the resources that are available at the county, state and federal levels to assist both veterans and their families.
Wake County has made it easy for residents, businesses and community organizations to participate in Operation Greenlight. Visit wakegov.com/greenlight to download promotional social media posts, graphics, talking points and more to help spread the word. And we encourage everyone to share the photos of their green lights by using the hashtags #WakeGlowsGreen and #OperationGreenlight.
Wake County Veterans Services
In addition to showing its appreciation for the men and women who have served in the military, the Wake County Housing Affordability & Community Revitalization Department’s Veteran Services Division wants to make sure veterans know about the benefits available to them.
“We understand that navigating benefits can be overwhelming,” said Siobhan Norris, who just joined Wake County as its Veteran Services Division Director. “Our staff at the Wake County Veteran Services Division is here to help guide veterans and their families, to ensure they get the assistance they need.”
The Division offers free support to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, dependents, surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans. Services include but are not limited to: obtaining DD 214s, VA disability and compensation benefits, educational scholarships, VA home loans, and much more.
North Carolina has a tradition of being the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation with 730,000 veterans – 80,000 of which are women. Wake County is dedicated to assisting these service members and their families.
The Wake County Veteran Services Division, at 4401 Bland Road in Raleigh, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit wakegov.com/veterans to learn more about services offered.
