While most Americans are familiar with Veterans Day, which occurs on November 11 every year, there’s another day that’s also designed to honor and celebrate our nation’s military veterans.
Hire a Veteran Day is held annually on July 25. As the name suggests, it focuses specifically on helping veterans find employment after their time in service. According to data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently more than 21 million veterans in the United States. Most veterans serve for a single enlistment, which falls between four and six years. Some, however, may serve for 20 to 30 years in the military.
If a soldier chooses to leave the military instead of making a full-time career out of it, he or she will typically search for employment in the public sector — but finding a job is easier said than done, especially for veterans who’ve been away from the public sector for several years. Even with employment assistance programs offered by the VA, finding employment can be difficult for veterans. This challenge has led to the creation of Hire a Veteran Day.
Hire a Veteran Day encourages employers and the public alike to help our nation’s 21-million-plus veterans find employment. On July 25, employers throughout the country are encouraged to hire veterans in their respective establishments. Employers should still choose applicants based on traditional criteria like skills, experience, ethics, etc. When given the option, however, employers are encouraged to hire veterans.
Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom. They deploy hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles away where they remain for months on end. But when they return home, many experience hardship when trying to find employment. In an effort to make the process easier, Hire a Veteran Day takes place on July 25. So, if you’re a business owner, consider hiring a veteran on this day. It’s a great way to show your appreciation to our military’s veterans while helping them find employment in the process. And besides, veterans have strong work ethics and loyalty that are simply unmatched. For these reasons and others, employers should consider hiring veterans.
Of course, Hire a Veteran Day isn’t the only holiday that’s held on this day. July 25 is also National Merry-Go-Round Day (yes, that’s a real thing). Of those two, however, I think it’s safe to say that Hire a Veteran Day is more important and meaningful.
