The Value of Hiring Veterans

The current economy is especially challenging for veterans.

Yet, the experience and education learned in the military is an excellent basis for any business, especially because the military emphasizes action, not rote memorization or theoretical case studies. That is often the key factor responsible for personal and professional success.

For servicemen and women, the current economy is anything but hospitable. Prolonged unemployment and spending cuts confront military veterans with a variety of difficult situations.

Veterans seeking to join the civilian workforce face a situation where many companies remain unsure of their hiring plans for the foreseeable future. For veterans who want to dive into the civilian sector as entrepreneurs and business owners, the opportunities are still daunting, as financial lending options continue to be limited at best.

This situation -- while a problem for all job seekers and entrepreneurs -- is especially challenging for veterans who can -- and do -- make valuable contributions in the private sector. Veterans usually have considerable technical, leadership and life experiences that only the military can confer. The service offers situations that unite individuals of all incomes and backgrounds, and transform each person into a model of integrity, discipline and resourcefulness.

These are key strengths that every business needs. They are the very ingredients of long-term prosperity and respect.

As veterans ourselves, we can attest to the training and benefits the military provides to its personnel. Having served in the Navy, we may have a natural preference for our branch of the military, but we also strongly acknowledge and salute the service of our fellow comrades in arms, both active and retired, who have defended this nation and risked their lives for the cause of freedom. read more>>>

German Afghanistan Veterans

There have been some 53 Germans killed in Afghanistan while serving with the NATO forces, unknown how many mamed!

Germany struggles with homecoming of Afghanistan veterans

April 30 2012 - For decades, Germany shied away from celebrating its military, ashamed of the jingoism that helped spark two world wars. But as thousands of the country’s troops return home from Afghanistan, many here are saying that old ghosts are causing new neglect.

One fix, Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said recently, would be to bring back a veterans day, a commemoration that Germany shunned after World War II. The suggestion is a major departure for a country where, until recently, officials did not call the conflict in Afghanistan a war or refer to “fallen soldiers,” fearful of stirring swastika-studded memories. But soldiers themselves say far more is needed.

As the international mission in Afghanistan winds down, Germany and other NATO countries are confronting the homecoming of forces who have seen some of the toughest fighting in decades. In a time of uncertainty about the future of Europe’s militaries, with spending slashed and capabilities diminished, how governments handle the Afghanistan transition could have deep repercussions on societal support for future conflicts.

In Germany, military topics are so undigested that de Maiziere’s first step was to ask whether the word “veteran” means someone who has served in combat or instead applies to anyone who has been in the military. read more>>>

More Answering First Lady’s Call to Improve Veterans’ Care

UT College of Nursing Answers First Lady’s Call to Improve Veterans’ Care

April 30, 2012 - The invisible wounds of war, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), have impacted approximately one in six of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq—and many of them seek treatment with a health professional who may not be properly trained to address their needs.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Nursing is answering a call from First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, to serve the nation’s veterans as well as they have served their country. The college will join more than 150 state and national nursing organizations and more than 500 nursing schools in a coordinated effort to further educate our nation’s three million nurses so they are prepared to meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.

“Whether we’re in a hospital, doctor’s office or a community health center, nurses are often the first people we see,” said Obama. “Because of their expertise, they are trusted to be the frontline of America’s healthcare system. That’s why Jill and I knew we could turn to America’s nurses and nursing students to help our veterans and military families get the world-class care they’ve earned.” read more>>>

Vietnamese Cultural Center's Candle Vigil

SLIDESHOW: Vietnamese Cultural Center's Candle Vigil adds warmth on windy eve

Photos by Steve Shay: Lee Ducly Bui, Director of the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle lights incense during the 37th Candle Light Vigil there tonight.

04/30/2012 - While the wind tried its best to blow out some flames Monday night, the 37th Candle Light Vigil at the Vietnamese Cultural Center seemed to offer plenty of warmth, and take the edge off the chilly wind as people remembered the over one million South Vietnamese and the 58,000 American soldiers who gave up their lives during the Vietnam War.

Cultural Center founder, Lee Ducly Bui spoke, lit incense and snapped a few shots of attendees to honor fallen soldiers, and surviving vets.

Dennis Case of Redmond spoke. He said he chose to join the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969 rather than be drafted in Vietnam. He said he was here unofficially, that he did serve in the Coast Guard and Navy for 31 years in the Reserves, and two years ago began working with the VA serving veterans who suffer from the affects of Agent Orange. He helps facilitate claims.

"On a daily basis I am reading the letters from the widows, parents, brothers and sisters and children from those who served in Vietnam," Case said. "Those who did survive may have been taken sick very soon after their service because of their exposure to the Agent Orange chemicals. read more>>>

Art of War: Veterans Shred Uniforms

AIR DATE: April 30, 2012 - Art of War: Veterans Shred Uniforms to Create 'Combat Paper' Artwork

SUMMARY In 2007, a returning Iraq war veteran, trying to make sense of his experience, cut up his uniform to make paper from its fibers. Five years later, the Combat Paper Project has found a home in New Jersey. Hoping to reconcile the good and the bad of lives spent at war, four veterans reflect on this therapeutic and artistic outlet.

GWEN IFILL: Finally tonight, transforming the wardrobe of war into art.

In 2007, a returning Iraq war veteran trying to make sense of his experience cut up his battle dress uniform and, together with a friend, made paper from the fibers. The Combat Paper Project was born. Five years later, in New Jersey, the project has launched a permanent workshop for veterans hoping to reconcile the good and bad of lives spent at war.

We met four of them. Here are their stories in their own words.

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JAN BARRY, Combat Paper Project: So I couldn't find any of my uniforms left. So, I'm borrowing someone else's uniform. And I'm starting to cut into it. And I'm thinking, this is kind of ridiculous, until I really physically get into, like, this really is cutting through a lot of history.

I'm Jan Barry. I served in the Army in Vietnam 1962-1963. We really were proud to wear that uniform with all those things that were on the uniform. And now you're cutting into it and remixing those memories or those bone-deep sensations.

And at a certain point, the creativity starts flowing in terms of the discussions that are going on. What am I going to do with the paper? So I decided to do a small collection of poetry.

Life after war, it can creep up on you. You came back in pretty good shape, but knew others who died. Write, talk, create art about war, share what's happening with others. One day, damn, you're an old-timer who's lived a lot of life after a war. Transcript>>>

Watch Veterans Shred Uniforms to Create 'Combat Paper' Artwork on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Read more about the project here: Combat Paper: Veterans Battle War's Demons With Paper-Making

April 30, 2012 - The statistic is stark, heartbreaking and unacceptable. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 18 veterans commit suicide every day -- about one every 80 minutes. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, which plagues their thoughts, invades every aspect of their lives and disables some to the point where death is preferable to living through the nightmare. It was once called shell shock and thought to be a byproduct of cowardice. It is now understood to be a natural reaction to astonishing stress, to seeing things that no one ought to ever see. read more>>>

And you can visit Vietnam brother Jan Barry's website to read more of his poetry and writings.