The city of Cortez and Montezuma County are encouraging residents to join in a national campaign to honor veterans on Nov. 11.

The “Greenlight a Veteran” movement asks residents to change one light bulb in their home to green to show support for veterans.

Mayor Karen Sheek has compiled an official proclamation in support of the movement, and the City Council will consider approving it at an upcoming meeting.

“It would just be a way of us promoting thoughtfulness for those people who have served in our armed forces,” Sheek said at the Oct. 22 meeting.

The color green represents “hope, renewal and well-being” and the word “greenlight” is “commonly used to activate forward movement,” according to the proclamation.

“Let us honor our veterans not only on November 11th but all year-round by changing one light to green in a visible location – on your porch, your home or at your office, and keep it glowing every day as a symbol of appreciation and support for our veterans,” the proclamation states.

Montezuma County commissioners also signed the proclamation.

The national campaign also encourages Greenlight participants to post a photo of their light and location on an online map so that veterans can view the widespread support, or post a photo on social media with the hashtag #greenlightavet.

Veterans Day on Nov. 11 honors veterans of all U.S. wars. It originated in 1919 as Armistice Day, the day that the Allied powers – including the United States – signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany, marking the end of World War I.

ealvero@the-journal.com