Today is Veterans Day, a very special day set aside for all Americans to bow our heads and solemnly, yet proudly, remember that “All gave some, some gave all.”
Please join me in recognizing, thanking and remembering all of the American veterans who have given so much so that America can remain “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”.
Veterans Day began as “Armistice Day”. As you will remember, major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with Germany’s signing of an Armistice. President Woodrow Wilson first declared November 11, 1919 as “Armistice Day” as a way of paying tribute to all of America’s veterans who gave their all for our freedom in World War I.
On June 1, 1954, as a way of recognizing veterans of all of Americans wars, Congress replaced “Armistice” with “Veterans”, thus creating our modern Veterans Day celebration.
“Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another”
This is the creed of the Vietnam Veterans of America. On this Veterans Day, I respectfully suggest that perhaps we should add to that noble promise our own promise to all of our patriotic brothers and sisters who have served in the uniform of the United States of America.
Perhaps that promise should be: “Delaware will always honor and respect our veterans, appreciate their sacrifice and do all that we can to ensure that their service and sacrifice are properly and appropriately recognized by us all.”
Finding a job that will put food on the table, a roof over their heads, and which provides the same sense of pride in “a decent day’s work for a fair day’s pay” felt by the veteran while serving in uniform is the most important element in every veteran’s successful return to civilian life. But in an economy where businesses are struggling and jobs are scarce, the quest for a good job can be a daunting task, especially for those whose military occupational specialty (MOS) has no application or is not in great demand in the civilian market.
Today’s returning veterans are experiencing an unemployment rate that is nearing double the national average of other, non-veteran workers. We can do better. We owe these brave young men and women so much more than we can ever repay. The least we can do is help these fine Americans and Delawareans find meaningful employment after their service to our country.
On this Veterans Day I ask every Delaware employer in a position to do so to “Hire a Vet – You’ll Be Glad You Did”.
Members of The Vietnam Veterans of America greet each other and all of America’s other military veterans with the simple but heartfelt words “Welcome Home”.
On behalf of myself and all of the members of the Republican State Committee of Delaware I want to say to each and every Delaware Veteran:
“Thank you for your service to our country.”
“Thank you for your sacrifices and your dedication to the cause of American Freedom” and
“Welcome Home”.
