Do More Than Thank Veterans

I am a kind, thoughtful and helpful man today because of the vets in my life. Uncles & Great Uncles in WW2, Korea, Vietnam. Working with Army, Navy, Air Force, Seabees, Marines, Coast Guard & Green Berets. Friends who served in Vietnam, Beirut, Germany & around the world. Our finest have taught me much about life, the world, enjoying today, and hard work successfully done.

We would not be the free people we are without their sacrifices. Yet they are less appreciated today than in the past. With the smaller volunteer services , we may know fewer personally. Society today often thinks they are killers, have PSTs, wildly conservative, or act erratic. No they are good people. They are our neighbors. They are in our churches. They are our co-workers.

We have to do more than thank them for their service. They just think they were doing their duty. They have seen much and deserve respect and help succeeding. They also have awesome training and experiences that every company needs.

Most veterans leave their first civilian job within one year. They not only need to be hired, they need to know how to adjust to a different world.

In the military you are told everything. Where to stand, what to eat, when to wake, when to sleep, and sent anywhere they are needed. You don’t think, you do. Transition to the working world where instructions and success are not clear is challenging.

Give them mentors, both civilian and veterans. Explain our missions, and why what we do is important. Let them know we expect they will ask questions. Answer them and encourage them.

Most important, treat them like family. Let them know they are important, and doing their work is appreciated. After a short while, they will be among the most productive coworkers you have. At work we are so grateful they work with us.

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure."

 - General Colin L. Powell