Say ‘yes’ to vets

Last week I was pleased to see major TV networks like NBC teaming up with veterans groups in the “Hiring Our Heroes” campaign. It is a brilliant effort to employ thousands of our returning veterans. There were all sorts of job fairs and inspiring stories that made me feel good about the efforts made to help my fellow veterans.

Later in the week, a new heading crossed my path while I was on the MSNBC website, one that made me sit back muttering to myself, “Oh no, not again.” The headline of the story was: “Veterans battle PTSD stigma — even if they don’t have it.”

Sadly, this is not the first time myself and other veterans have encountered this. What it boils down to is that many employers are afraid to employ veterans. This is frankly, well, BS for lack of a better term.

There are many veterans out there who do not have PTSD and many who do. Some carry more obvious wounds of war. But they are all, for the most part, ready, willing and very much able to work. But it works only if employers are willing to take them up on it. It is shameful to read stories like that one I read a few days ago.

Can I tell you all something? Practically every job in the civilian world is mirrored by the military. From baker to doctor, mechanic to lawyer, military police to photojournalist — nearly every job out there has a counterpart in the modern U.S. Armed Forces. Just think of it. These people who have served their country, in some cases for decades, can do the jobs they were trained for in the civilian world, some with little or no training. And if comes down to retraining, well, you have just hired someone who is very good with that. We love training. How do you think we held those jobs while serving?

There is a ready job pool to hire from. This state alone has the largest population of veterans per capita in the entire nation, close to 75,000 of us. Think about that. Real-time work experience from some the best-educated people I know. All have a high school diploma or GED. Most also have college or trade school educations. Many — and I do mean many — even hold college degrees.

These men and women have proudly served their country. Don’t you think you should pay them back with something more than a thank you? A real thank you would be a “can I hire you?” Let’s break this so-called stigma and hire a veteran. Heck, maybe even two or three. It is a good, sound investment for an excellent employee in anyone’s business or service.

Try the Veteran’s Center of Wasilla for starters. Located just off Crusey Street, it will be more than happy to connect willing veterans with equally willing employers. Or maybe at a job fair someone stands in front of your booth who might be wearing a U.S. Army hat. Maybe the clink of dog tags can be heard. They might just come up and say it: “I just got out of the Marines and I’m looking for work.”

It might just be that easy. Make it even easier and say “yes” to a vet.

For more information, contact the Wasilla Veterans Center at 851 E.West Point Dr., or call 376-4318.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.