Wisconsin became the first state to implement “Green Alerts” to help find veterans who might be in need of assistance, WMTV/NBC15.com has reported.
Gov. Scott Walker earlier this week signed legislation to create the program, which would issue public alerts for veterans who might be in distress and missing. The alerts would be similar to Amber and Silver alerts currently issued for missing children and older adults, respectively.
“If a soldier goes missing in the field, his or her unit will send out a search and rescue party. When an at-risk veteran goes missing at home, it should be all of our jobs to assist with the search however we can,” said state Sen. LaTonya Johnson in a press release.
Johnson coauthored the bill with state Rep. Evan Goyke, prompted by the death of an Air Force veteran, Corey Adams, who was found dead after he was missing for 18 days. Adams’ sister told WMTV that her family already has been in contact with groups outside Wisconsin who want to implement similar programs in their states.
“By creating the Green Alert, we are honoring Corey’s memory and working to prevent other tragedies,” Johnson said.
