Veterans worthy of more than a gesture

While watching the World Series a new ad popped up on the TV. It was a commercial with a quiet dignified music track showing veterans in civilian clothing on the bus, on the sidewalk, at home with loved ones. It went on saying that for Veteran’s Day show your appreciation for veterans by screwing in a green light bulb. The ad put out by Wall-Mart wants to make this a nationwide event everyone can take part in. It was nicely put together designed to hit that warm fuzzy spot of the heart. Think of it: green lights everywhere to say “thank you” to our veterans. An interesting experiment, all in all, a nice gesture.

But a gesture only. Well how about doing something better than a gesture for veterans? One that will go a lot farther than a green light bulb over a door step or a hand shake followed with: “Thank you for your service.” Something that would really say thank you in so many ways. How about hiring one or more of us for employment in your business or company? Nothing says thank you better than jobs in my opinion. A lot more than a green light or a hardy handshake.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not ungrateful for the sediments expressed to me on the street. I’m not used to it honestly. When I first enlisted in the Army 35 years ago I got a different gesture from many including a few I thought were friends. A middle finger and a hardy “Baby Killer” for love and kisses. It was just five years after the end of the Vietnam War, and many still held on to an anti-war attitude. That included a rather nasty viewpoint toward anyone in uniform. In my case a U.S. Army uniform. That attitude changed after the first Gulf War many years later. The pain of those wrongs still linger with me and I know it does in others that actually served in Vietnam who were treated much worse than I.

Now in modern times the attitude has changed for the better. Yet it still boils down to gestures. Gestures have little to go on in substance. It does little for the challenges we veterans face, transitioning into the civilian world after serving our country. What we need is a mission. As a G.I., I was mission oriented. Without a mission things tend to fall apart. What is a mission for a ex- G.I. in civilian life? Simply this: Employment.

There is more but employment goes very far helping the veteran to cope with life after the Army,Navy, Air force and Marines. And you the employer will get someone with lots of skills, ethics, loyalty and the go to willingness to work hard. All that comes from years of training and dedication while serving in the U.S. Armed forces in war and peace.

What about those war veterans? Aren’t they all crazy from their time in the war? I know of many civilians who asked these questions. Many employers do as well. It is a known fact many of them balk when they learn the veteran before them in a interview served in Iraq or Afghanistan or some other conflict. There is a fear they might go “Rambo” on the job and refuse to hire them.

“Rambo” was a movie. “Rambo” was fiction. We’re not, we are very real and human. I’m not saying something like that never happens when it comes to war vets. It’s kind of rare honestly but the media can make a mountain of it, stoking those fears. We do have our challenges like PTSD, suicide, lost limbs, scars, burns and other wounds from our time in the wars. Yet I have seen a majority of my fellow veterans take these problems on and excel to the point of amazing. Give one of them the chance to excel in your business and you too will be amazed as well.

Employing a veteran is a win/win for all concerned. Try it, I think you will be pleased at the results.

Now, as to well-meaning gestures; I know of one I would really love to see. Something that gives my fellow vets and I a feeling of great pride. I want to see the American flag flying high on Veteran’s Day from every home, business, government buildings and all over town. Heck, I want to see it flying all over the Valley. I love that proud banner, I was proud to serve under its stars and stripes. Proud to have worn it on my uniform. Proud have served the best nation on earth with this flag as a symbol for freedom. A green light bulb just doesn’t cut it for me. So fly the American flag and hire an American Veteran.

Daniel D. Grota is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 21 years in service. He is also a Tuesday morning co-host on KVRF 89.5 FM, Radio Free Palmer. Write to him at news@frontiersman.com.