By Karen Ross, CEO of Sharp Decisions
Veterans Day first came to be 103 years ago as Armistice Day to signal the end of World War I, becoming what we know it as today in the 1950s. No matter what it has been called since 1918, it has always had one thing in common: a day to pay homage to all those that have put their lives on the line in service to our nation. A day to thank them for their patriotism, sacrifice and duty. A day we stand united in respect for our veterans.
What we know as Veterans Day today was named with the intention to “commemorate those who bore the battle” so the United States could “show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils for the nations.”
An irony exists in that intention as the civilian-military divide grows. Veterans are showered with platitudes and ignored by policy. This Veterans Day, we have an opportunity to shift these trends.
Since 2013, Sharp Decisions has been doing our part to even the playing field and give our Veterans an opportunity at meaningful careers as they transition out of the military.
This Veterans Day, our ninth with our V.E.T.S.™ (Vocation, Education, and Training for Service members) Program, we would like to recognize and thank our program’s alumni and current members for all they have done in making this program as successful as it has been at transforming workplaces around the country. Since 2013, our award-winning program has been instrumental in the training and deploying of U.S. military veterans in a wide range of civilian and corporate roles.
When it comes to working under rapidly changing circumstances, collaborating as a cohesive team, communicating effectively and solving problems, veterans are uniquely equipped to contribute to the business world. After the sacrifices they have made for us, it is our responsibility as a nation to return that by giving our veterans an opportunity for a career of which they can be proud.
This Veterans Day, I urge us all to honor our men and women in uniform by supporting the Service Members of yesterday and to protect the Veterans of tomorrow.
On behalf of all of us at Sharp Decisions, we wish all veterans—past, present and future—and their families a happy Veterans Day.