Contact: Jim McHugh, Veteran Services Officer, 805-477-5155, james.mchugh@ventura.org
VENTURA, Calif.—In advance of Veterans Day, the County of Ventura has announced plans to illuminate the Ventura County Veterans Memorial with green lights November 6-12 as part of Operation Green Light, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans. A special lighting ceremony will be held at the memorial at 6001 Telephone Rd. on Monday, Nov. 6, at 5:15 p.m.
The ceremony’s featured speaker is Capt. Robert “Barr” Kimnach III, commanding officer of Naval Base Ventura County. Over the course of his 25-year military career, Kimnach has accumulated over 2,800 flight hours as a naval aviator, and he deployed multiple times in support of various missions including anti-piracy, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Kimnach’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Board of Supervisors Chair Matt LaVere and retired Navy Captain and Ventura County Veteran Services Officer Jim McHugh will also deliver remarks during the ceremony. The Naval Base Ventura County Color Guard will perform the presentation of colors, U.S. Navy veteran Susie Hicks will sing the national anthem, and U.S. Navy Chaplain Cmdr. Carl Rhoads will deliver the invocation.
“Ventura County is home to over 38,000 veterans,” said Supervisor LaVere. “By shining a green light, we are expressing our profound appreciation for their service and sacrifice and letting them know we’re here to support them and their families as best we can.”
This Operation Green Light ceremony is free and open to the public, with parking available in the adjacent lots. Seating is limited and first come, first served. For more information about the event, contact Government Relations Manager Daniel Schneider at 805-289-8205.
Residents and businesses are also invited to participate in Operation Green Light by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that is visible to neighbors and passersby, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.
For a comprehensive list of services and resources available to Ventura County veterans and their families, please visit the Veteran Services Office website.
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