It seems there is a holiday for just about everything these days. There is National Eat Your Beans Day, National Paper Bag Day, and even a National Rat Catcher’s Day. No, that’s not a joke. However, in the midst of all these silly holidays, there are a few that deserve special attention, one of which is National Hire a Veteran Day.
Observed on the 25th of July, this day is an opportunity for potential employers to remember the asset men and women with experience serving in the armed forces can be. It also highlights the sad reality that many veterans have a difficult time re-entering the civilian work force.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who released a report on the veteran employment situation earlier this year, approximately nine percent of the civilian population is comprised of veterans. That is 20.9 million men and women who have served our country through the armed forces. Among that number, 435,000 veterans are considered unemployed, with 60 percent of them being 45 and older.
So what can you do to help? Below are three ways you can give back to the men and women who have been instrumental in protecting the “home of the free.”
Photo: Facebook/Hire Our Heroes
The initial cure to any problem is awareness. Educate yourself on the difficulties veterans might experience as they enter the workforce. Furthermore, it is important that potential employers learn about National Hire a Veteran Day. Information regarding veteran unemployment and this often unobserved holiday can be shared quickly via social media outlets and email. Though it may seem like a small solution to a large problem, it is a simple way to help others that can be accomplished from the comfort of your home.
Photo: Facebook/Hire Our Heroes
Hire Our Heroes is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping veterans separating from the military receive the best assistance as they transition to civilian life. One way they do so is through their mentorship program. This program takes veterans who have made successful a successful shift into the civilian lifestyle and partners them with veterans recently separated from the military. Face-to-face meetings, establishing goals and plans of action, and offering networking resources in order to assure mentees successes are all ways the program seeks to best help America’s finest realize their potential as great assets to employers. For more information regarding this program, please follow the link.
Photo: Pixabay
The key component of any campaign is a population that recognizes the issue and chooses to jump in to help solve the problem. Whether it is donating your valuable time or your money, there are a number of ways to aid our veterans. From mock job interviews, résumé critiques, volunteer coordination and web design, to supporting your local veterans association with a monthly donation, all are significant ways to give back to those who have given so much. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or donating to this great cause, click on the links to learn more.
It is easy to show our patriotic pride by watching fireworks light up a night sky or by bowing our heads for a brief moment of silence. However, it is important to remember the sacrifices made in order for us to take part in those celebrations. Currently, our veterans need help, and we can provide it by spreading awareness, becoming mentors, and donating our time, talents, and money. Remember, we are only the home of the free, because of the brave.
