Yesterday the world rememebred its veterans. From Armistice Day in Europe, to Veterans Day in the US, the holidays serve as reminders to pause, to take a moment out of our busy, daily lives and acknowledge the service of our veterans. Here at Global Citizen we reflected on how our mission, to end global poverty by 2030, and the mission of men and women in the military are often inextricably linked. Peace and stability are necessary foundations if poverty is to be eradicated. We thought about how military personnel often do much more than fight in combat, and all the ways military personnel give back, even after their service has ended.
But many times this personal reflection is not visible.
One campaign, "Green Light a Veteran," tried to change that. Through the campaign, people were encouraged to buy a green bulb to light their home with. The aim was to shine a light, literally, on veterans, who often become invisible once they return home. It's impossible to tell if the man sitting next to you on the bus, or the woman working at the office down the hall, served in the military. Without their uniforms veterans are just.... people. Green Light a Vet is meant to acknowledge their service, and to show that citizens appreciate all they've done.
From office buildings in New York, to stadiums in Georgia, and porches and lawns across the country, people let their green lights shine, and shared on Instagram with #GreenLightAVet. Something about the quietness of the photos--the hopeful green lights glowing across snow and palm trees, wooden slats and brick walls, porches, campuses, and busy streets--is inspiring. It was a unique moment of unity, something the world could always use a little more of.
Instagram highlights from #GreenLightAVet
From football stadiums in Boston and Georgia...
To a line of offices in NYC....
From an elaborate display in Chicago...
To a sole bulb at an LA hair salon...
And even the tallest building in Allentown, PA...
In the middle of palms...
Or surrounded by snow...
There were stucco homes...
And wood homes...
And homes with cool cutout shapes!
Some people had to get creative...
But from college campuses...
To Science Centers...
To Park Avenue...
People let their green lights glow...
Now, Americans may have their many differences, but it's amazing to see unity behind a cause that matters from coast to coast (literally). It never hurts to be reminded of shared common ground.