A green porch light can have a few different meanings, depending on the context or the community.
Here are some common interpretations:
Support for Veterans: Green porch lights are often used to show support for military veterans. This initiative is part of the “Greenlight A Vet” campaign, where people are encouraged to switch their porch lights to green to show appreciation and support for veterans’ contributions.
Lyme Disease Awareness: Green lights are sometimes used to promote awareness of Lyme disease, as green is the color associated with Lyme disease awareness efforts.
General Awareness or Support: More broadly, a green light can be used to signify support for various causes associated with the color green, such as mental health awareness.
But, although the reasons vary, green porch lights predominantly serve as a gesture of appreciation and support for U.S. veterans. They become particularly prominent in November to align with Veterans Day on the 11th. However, many choose to display green lights beyond November, keeping them up year-round or at least for extended periods.
It’s also common to see green lights during St. Patrick’s Day—a holiday that embraces all things green.
The Origin of Green Porch Lights
This modern tradition began with a campaign led by Walmart in October 2011, called the Veteran’s Welcome Home Commitment. The campaign aimed to secure employment for 250,000 U.S. veterans and their spouses—a goal it exceeded by 2020.
In 2013, on Memorial Day, Walmart launched the Greenlight a Veteran campaign. They set up a dedicated website and social media presence, urging people to replace their standard porch lights with green bulbs. Using the hashtag #GreenLightAVet, participants shared photos of their green lights online, fostering visible support and raising awareness for veterans. This initiative quickly gained traction, with the hashtag used by over 3 million people.
Why Green Represents Veterans
Several reasons underpin the choice of green to symbolize support for veterans. The term “greenlight” often signifies initiating action, aptly reflecting the campaign’s goal to advance awareness and appreciation for veterans. The green-camo pattern, a staple of U.S. military uniforms, also plays a role in this association. Moreover, green evokes the iconic army figures from the Toy Story movies—though I assure you, that’s my final movie reference.
The meaning can vary widely by area or even by individual choice, so the best way to understand the specific intent behind a green porch light is often to ask the homeowner or organizer of the lighting effort.
Adopting a green porch light is a simple yet effective way to show support for our troops from the comfort of your home. Consider picking up a green LED bulb to join in this act of solidarity. For those curious about the significance of other porch light colors, you can find more information on our blog.
