Veterans Day, November 11, 2011

By Mike Miller
DeLand One-Stop DEO Supervisor
Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead.
Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. Nov. 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free.
The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United States.
• 9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
• 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
• 1.8 million veterans are women.
• 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
• 5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
• 2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
• 2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
• As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
• Florida has 1.7 million veterans.
• Volusia County has 70,000 veterans – 13.7% of the population.
• Fourteen of our One-Stop Employment Center co-workers are veterans. They served their country, now they serve their community.
o Andre’ Anderson (Navy)
o Phil Pingshaw (Air Force)
o Lydia Hartley (Air Force)
o Hollie Bethany (Army)
o Brenda Brown (Air Force)
o Vicki Shannon (Army)
o Sharon Hairston (Army)
o Larry Cameron (Army)
o Eddie Stafford (Marines)
o Mike Miller (Air Force)
o Ken Torres (Army)
o Richard Cuebas (Army)
o James Alvarado (Army)
o Heidi Clarke (Navy)
Phil, Hollie, Ken and Richard are One-Stop staff members who provide services to unemployed veterans. Employ Florida Marketplace also has information and resource links that will assist veterans, veterans' families and employers in accomplishing their employment goals. The website matches job seekers with employers and other employment-related services.

Thanks to all our co-workers for the honorable service you have given to our country.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
- John F. Kennedy

For more information about Veterans Day, read this article from the Department of Veterans Affairs.