Veterans Day 2012 Commemoration Thread

11 thoughts on “Veterans Day 2012 Commemoration Thread”

1. those who won’t, politicize serve themselves.

   Thank you veterans, one and all, for your service beyond yourselves.  May you have a government worthy of your sacrifices.  

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2. Your service means everything to this country.

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3. I continue to thank and recognize all veterans, most who gave more than me. Buy a Buddy poppy if you see them any time. There is not a set charge, simply a donation request. Give at least $5 this way several times a year.

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4. I hope that we start to take a little  better care of our returning warriors as things shake out in the next 4 years. The Denver daily had a good piece yesterday about hyperbaric oxygen treatment for TBI. We should be making the most effective medical options available to veterans FIRST, not after non-vets with private insurance have already had access to it for years.

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   1. It really, really pisses me off that, for instance, the VA has over one million disability claims backlogged.

      This is a wealthy country. We make promises to the men and women who enlist.  We are not keeping those promises.

      The VA should be funded on a “need” basis.  “We NEED $XXXX to serve our veterans efficiently, quickly, and thoroughly. Pony up.”

      Why do I have the feeling it is pro-military Pubs that are niggardly with veteran’s needs? SSG_Dan sure would know.  

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      1. And leave veterans out in the cold.

         The Romney “pro-military” agenda.

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         1. one of the six gazillion downsides of what might have been “the Romney administration”

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         2. People, bad.

            Oh, wait, corporations are people…..ooooo….my head hurts!  Paradox!

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         3. it can mean being in favor or support of ordinary soldiers, on the one hand,

            or it can mean supporting the corporations and politicians in uniform who run the organization and extract enormous amounts of wealth thereby.  

            Please say a prayer for Bowe Bergdahl, American POW.  

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5. Dear Friends:

   Last week, my computer was infected with a terrible virus.

   I called Dell for some online assistance and was surprised to be transferred to a technician with an American accent.

   As he walked me through the fix for my computer, I asked him a bit about his background.

   “I’m a United State Marine Corp veteran,” he told me.  “I was injured in the line of duty in Iraq, was sent home to recover and immediately went back to Afghanistan.  I was injured in the line of duty a second time, was honorably discharged and came home for good.  I received terrific military benefits to get training as a computer repair technician and was hired by Dell.  I live and work in Florida and love my job.”

   There are a lot of heart-warming aspects to this story, including the fact that Dell hired an American vet to perform a job that would more commonly be outsourced to another country.

   And while this story has a wonderful ending, the fact is that US Veterans do face unique challenges transitioning back into the workplace following a tour of duty overseas.

   The national unemployment rate for the more than two million post-9/11 veterans is far above the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in June 2012, of those veterans who have served since 2001, 12.7 percent were unemployed in May, and the youngest (18-24 years of age) are unemployed at a rate of 23.5 percent. More than one million veterans are projected to leave the military between 2011 and 2016, placing increased demands on the workforce.

   In Colorado alone in 2011, 49,000 veterans (out of 475,000 total veterans in the state) sought employment assistance with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, but this represents only a portion of the veterans needing employment. Additionally, there are some 21,000 recent veterans attending institutions of higher education in Colorado. These numbers only represent one state; the problem persists throughout the nation and must be addressed.

   If you know of a veteran who is looking for a job, find a moment to sit down with them and review their resume.  Help them brainstorm on new opportunities and open your network of contacts that might be able to help them.  Put them in contact with your company recruiter.

   Recently, the wonderful recruiters at DaVita contacted me and asked me share some tips they put together for military veterans as they begin their job search after serving in the military.

   1.    Ask yourself, does the company you are applying for share your mission, your values or your sense of purpose?
   
   Focus on companies that will allow you to utilize your skill set and will support you in developing new skills along your career path.

   2.    Help recruiters understand your competencies, skills and experience by “translating” your military job titles and responsibilities.
   
   On your resume, list out the key responsibilities of being a Platoon Leader, for example, so we can more easily explain your top qualities to a hiring manager.  Also highlight honors, awards and recognition you may have received.

   3.    Ask to speak with a veteran within the organization, particularly someone who does the job you are applying for.
   
   Many organizations have internal veterans groups and mentorship programs.  It may be valuable to speak with a veteran who successfully transitioned from the military and can share their story with you.

   4.    It’s never too early to contact a recruiter – start your job search early!
   
   Even if your separation date from the military is 6 or 12 months away, contact a recruiter now to learn more about their company and what positions they are hiring for.  The recruiter can keep you in mind as new opportunities open up and you can utilize them as a trusted advisor in your job search.
   

   Nice sentiment. Use andrewhudsonsjobslist.com to list your organization’s employment opportunities — support a local business, get high-quality candidates, and support Andrew’s workshops and other efforts to help job-seekers, including veterans. I can personally recommend this site as a great place for both hiring managers and job seekers.

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6. 
   I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God

   Volunteers sine 1975.

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