photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green lights illuminate the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, for Operation Green Light for Veterans.

To salute veterans this week, Douglas County is joining counties across the nation by lighting up its historic courthouse in green.

Through Veterans Day on Nov. 11, the row of green lights will be shining outside the courthouse at 11th and Massachusetts streets, and green lights will also greet visitors at the entrance on the Massachusetts Street side. It’s all part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a program by the National Association of Counties to “let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported,” according to the association’s website.

At Wednesday’s County Commission meeting, Commissioner Karen Willey read a proclamation honoring those in Douglas County who have served: “Douglas County appreciates the sacrifices of our United States military personnel and believes specific recognition should be granted.”

Douglas County Emergency Management Director Robert Bieniecki, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves, also spoke briefly and thanked the commission for the recognition. He said about 60 veterans worked for the county government, and that he appreciated the county “shining a light” on those who served. Following his remarks, the commission invited the veterans in the room to stand, and the attendees gave them a round of applause.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Douglas County Emergency Management Director Robert Bieniecki, a U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves veteran, stands to be recognized at the Douglas County Commission’s meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Douglas County Commission meeting attendees applaud as veterans stand to be recognized at the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

Other Veterans Day observances are scheduled over the coming week in Lawrence, including the annual Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday on Massachusetts Street; the University of Kansas’ Vets Day 5K at 9 a.m. Sunday on campus; and KU’s evening colors ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, on the lawn in front of Strong Hall.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

A row of green lights outside the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, for Operation Green Light for Veterans.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green lights for Operation Green Light for Veterans reflect off of the bell in the lobby of the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green lights for Operation Green Light for Veterans shine into the lobby of the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green light shines into the lobby of the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

A row of green lights in the entryway of the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, for Operation Green Light for Veterans.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green lights illuminate the Douglas County courthouse’s entrance on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, for Operation Green Light for Veterans.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green lights illuminate the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, for Operation Green Light for Veterans.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Green lights illuminate the Douglas County courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, for Operation Green Light for Veterans.