Shine a Green Light for Veterans on Veterans Day
This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, show your support of veterans by simply changing one exterior light on your home or business to a green bulb as part of Operation Green Light. By shining a green light, you will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. This nationwide initiative is spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.
While this event is focused around Veterans Day, participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Show your support on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight. Operation Green Light is a simple way to express collective appreciation for the public service of our veterans.
County Veteran Services
One of Linn County’s functions is to serve veterans and help ensure they have access to resources they need to thrive and the benefits they have earned.
Linn County Veteran Affairs has nationally accredited Veteran Service Officers who help veterans navigate the complexities of the VA system to get the most benefits they have earned.
This free service is available for all Linn County veterans and their dependents. These services include helping eligible veterans submit compensation and pension applications that results in millions of dollars in federal veterans benefits for eligible Linn County veterans each year.
In addition to federal programs for compensation and pension, additional benefits available to eligible veterans may include:
- Emergency assistance (rent, mortgage, and utilities)
- Indigent burial
- Obtaining military discharges, military medical records, and medals
- VA healthcare applications and referrals to other VA resources
- Veteran designation on Iowa Driver’s License or State ID
- Iowa Veterans Home
- Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
- Flag holders for veterans buried in Linn County
- Death and memorial benefits
Mental Health is Health
An increasing number of people are seeing mental health for what it is: one important component of our overall health and well-being, just like our physical health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.
Linn County Veteran Affairs and the Mental Health Access Center are working together to assist with the mental health needs of veterans. The Mental Health Access Center is available for walk-in mental health and substance use disorder crisis care seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Foundation 2 Mobile Crisis provides help during non-walk-in hours. When a veteran receives services from the Access Center, staff help connect the veteran to Linn County Veteran Affairs staff. The Mental Health Access Center is located at 501 13th St. NW in Cedar Rapids.
Contact Linn County Veteran Affairs
If you or someone you know may be eligible for veterans’ benefits, call Linn County Veteran Affairs at 319-892-5160, email Veteran Affairs, or visit LinnCountyIowa.gov/Veteran to fill out a contact form.
Linn County Veteran Affairs is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure that you know what documents will be needed for the services you are requesting.