Remember when we were kids? Many of us wanted to do different things when we grow up.
There were days I wanted to be a super-hero (I used shopping bags to make a cape with a big red “S”), a fireman, I also wanted to be an astronaut.
The one thing, I wanted to be is a soldier.
Reality set in and I never attempted any of those occupations. All the things those jobs entailed were cool. If you talk to a Veteran today who served, while they believe many things they did were cool, they are very proud of the sense of camaraderie they developed, the many skills they developed and one big thing they are very proud of: they served.
As our heroes return home and transition back to civilian life, they need help. It is quite shocking that:
- The unemployment rate for post-911 Veterans is higher than the national average.
- 22 former servicemen and woman commit suicide everyday.
- Young veterans are more than twice as likely to become homeless as nonveteran adults of a similar age.
As Jackalope Jobs has partnered with GallantFew.org, a Veterans non-profit, helping Veterans in their job search, we are always proud to hear their thanks. I was recently humbled when one Veteran said to me “thanks for all that you are doing for us.” In addition to being humbled, I was actually embarrassed. “You’re thanking me? For everything YOU did? Thank YOU,” was my immediate response. His reply: “Everyone can serve. Sure I did it overseas, but you are there for us when we come back. That’s one way everyone can help, just be there for us when we come back.”
They are proud that they served, and many would do it again. However, we are simply failing at bringing these soldiers home and re-integrating them into society. No one person is to blame, but we can certainly do something about it.
We can serve our country by serving those soldiers who return home. Lets help them out.
How can we serve? First is awareness – spread the word. We are partnered with an event called RunRangerRun to increase awareness. Spreading the word is free and with more and more people understanding Veterans’ issues, the issues can become smaller. Second, please consider donating. Even a few bucks, when combined with awareness will go a long way. Third way to serve? Just help one Veteran out – help them with an introduction, help them with information about your career, tell them about your company. Many of them have skills but need to relate their skills from military skills to civilian skills.
So, I never became a super-hero, a fireman or a soldier, but I am able to do my part and serve our Veterans in helping them find a job. How can you help a Veteran today?