I just installed my green porch light in support of all veterans. A green porch light is a symbol of appreciation & support for US military veterans.

 

There are better ways to support Vets than putting money in the pockets of those who make/sell the green light.

 

I have a normal 4.5W green light you can purchase at ANY Ace Hardware store. Don't need you or anyone to imply incorrectly I was supporting ANY program by putting money in the pockets of ANYONE. Thank you very much.

 

What the hell is the cost of a light bulb? I doubt it makes a miniscule difference to the company that sells them. It shows the support for veterans. Should we quit flying American Flags because some company made a couple buck off them?

 

Just think, if every buyer of those green bulbs instead sent that $5 to a veterans program.

 

It's a light bulb. You've got to have one in the fixture anyhow, regardless of colour. C'mon.

One can put a cheap light bulb in their socket and still be actively supporting veterans directly in tangible ways.

 

I provide ample monies to various American military veterans organizations. In addition, I've provided significant amounts of my time & labor in support of various American military veterans organizations, most likely because I am an American military veteran. I've spent time as a volunteer building homes with Homes For Our Troops, donations to AMVETS, VFW, American Legion, Hope For The Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project, numerous Military Tribute events at The Greenbrier Classic & many more.

I've never considered the ramifications which might ensue by "someone" who thought my monies &/or my time & labor should first be reviewed by "someone" before I make any donation.

When I bought my green porch light (below) ~10 years ago ($3.50 at Ace Hardware) I didn't think twice about how my $3.50 should be spent to demonstrate a visual display of support for our American military veterans.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a standard green light bulb Ace Hardware carries them in stock - $1.50 more expensive than they were ~2014. The price of inflation thing. A darn nice bulb I might add. Most likely can find them at most big box stores.

Feit A19 E26 (Medium) Filament LED Bulb Green 30 Watt Equivalence 1 pk

 

Most anybody that shows support for veterans with a lightbulb or in any other way has sent money to various veteran organizations.

 

I think it's cool. Just waiting on the pic.

I recently joined the local American Legion. I've even heard fellow veterans in the past bash this or that charity. I think supporting veterans is the way to go. I often ask if local restaurants have a veteran's discount. Can't wait to get that tax free money!

 

Indeed, looks like I have another reason to justify my sheer laziness with (not) changing back the front porch light bulbs. Christmas 2022 I put in 2 green LED bulbs, and I never swapped them back out. Now they can stay right where they are.

Also, we do contribute $$$ to Veterans Organizations each year. Not much, but something.

 

Heaven forbid. There might even be some veterans working for the company that makes the light. Heck, the company might even be OWNED by a veteran.

I can't think of a more petty comment.

 

You can opt to paint a bulb, I’ve done this many times to yellow bulbs

 

Thank you for your service Norm and to anyone else that has served. That is so generous of you to give up your time and money to help the Vets out.

I wasn't aware of the green light to show support. Thanks for letting us know about this.

 

What would be better, millions of green bulbs sold for a feel good endeavor that does not benefit Veterans on the whole, or millions of people sending $5 to a Veterans organization. We are allowed an opinion in this country.

 

When did this become a thing? First I've ever heard of it. Sounds like tying a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree (the same, but different).

 

Around 2013, it was started by Walmart.

 

 

Nice!

 

Thanks, Norm, for your service (even though I'm in Canada, I'm sure I was a beneficiary) and for remembering the other vets. It's a shame in the current social/political climate that we can't seem to say or do anything without it turning into a big deal.

 

Very cool! 😎

 

Gee, Iv'e been a veteran for years and know lots of veterans and haven't heard of the green light thing, interesting. I suppose I might put a green light out on the porch but just wondering if anyone around here would understand the significance. I can understand Eric's sentiment that $5 spent on a monthly veterans' support organization might do some good versus having a green light out front but I'm not qualified to judge anybody else's motives about anything.

 

So what. You still had to buy the yellow bulbs and the green paint to paint them. Should you have not bought the yellow bulbs and green paint and sent that money to veteran groups instead?

To say that buying a $4 green bulb and putting it on your front porch is somehow a disservice to veterans is one of the stupidest arguments I've ever heard. Putting out a green bulb, if nothing else, shows others that you support veterans, and that matters.

Where does it stop?

Should we no longer buy pink ribbons to put on our hats or shirts the next time there is a breast cancer awareness day or event because, heaven forbid, that money just goes into the pockets of those who make the pink ribbons?

And has been pointed out, should I no longer buy an American flag because someone somewhere made it, and the money I spent to buy it goes into that person's pocket? Am I no longer allowed to fly an American flag? I could make one myself, but then I'd have to go out and buy the fabric and sewing supplies, and THOSE cost money, too, which ends up in someone's pocket.

Idiocy. It's idiocy all the way down.

 

Jaunty you speak the truth even if it comes across somewhat bluntly at times.

 

Sometimes a good clubbing over the head is the only thing that gets through.

 

I know what I'll do the next breast cancer awareness day. I'll find some white ribbon I happen to have laying around and some pink paint I happen to have laying around and paint the white ribbon pink. After all, the white ribbon and pink paint appeared magically out of thin air, so no money was transferred to greedy capitalist pockets as a result of my acquiring them.

 

Jaunty, quit putting words in other peoples mouths, where did anyone mention that it was doing a disservice to Veterans? I simply stated that there were better ways to help Veterans than purchasing a green lightbulb. We've already proven that Americans will buy anything if marketed properly, for example pet rocks. As a Veteran, I don't need to feel good because someone put a green light on their porch.

 

I didn't put words in anyone's mouth. I'm just pointing out the ridiculousness of the words coming directly out of your mouth.

 

As a veteran, I have always appreciated when somebody says "thank you for your service". The green lightbulb says the same thing, Eric, you may not need that but there are plenty of us who appreciate it. I never knew about the green lightbulb but I appreciate it. As the administrator of this site, I don't believe you are winning any friends. Maybe that is okay with you. Now you can delete my post or ban be from the site if you want.

 

Just how is it ridiculous to imply there are better ways to spend your $5 to actually benefit a Veteran?

 

Glenn, we are all entitled to our opinions. Being the administrator of this site does not preclude me having one.

 

"Can't we all just get along?"

 

You are about as tone deaf as they come. It's not THAT you made your comment, it's the CONTEXT in which you made your comment.

This thread was started by Vintage Chief where he stated very simply and very innocently that, to honor veterans in this month that contains Veterans Day, he was doing the relatively new thing of hanging out a green porch light. It's just like people wearing pink ribbons to honor breast cancer survivors or any of the many other symbols used to represent various causes.

So what do you do in the very next post? Do you you thank him for his gesture? Do you join him in honoring veterans? No, you kick him in the ***** for spending $4 on a green light bulb instead of sending it to a veterans charity. The depth of childishness, inappropriateness, and classlessness of that comment cannot be overstated. That you don't see this and stick to your I'm-entitled-to-my-opinion defense shows just how out of touch you are.

There's nothing wrong with suggesting that people send their spare change to veteran or any other charity. But not HERE and not NOW.

You may be a moderator, but you apparently missed the day when the moderator training class was covering human relations.

 

There is no such class and you know that as well as we do, and to suggest that he is not being sensitive is ironic coming from you.