SER National Stands and Salutes America’s Military Veterans
Nation’s Service-Employment-Redevelopment Network Is Grateful for Their Service and Sacrifice to Protect Our Country’s Freedoms
Irving, TX – SER NATIONAL is observing Veterans Day with a call to all Americans to pause and thank the nation’s brave servicemen and women who have served in our country’s armed forces. We offer a simple, heartfelt thank you and the promise we will always honor their courage and spirit.
“SER NATIONAL marks this day with a deep sense of respect for its significance,” says Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO. “Think about the many veterans that served in World War II and the Korean conflict. Add to that those who fought in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to name the larger declared wars. America is thankful for these servicemembers because many are still paying the price for their service to our country. We now have to honor our promise made to veterans and their families,” adds Salazar.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 19 million veterans live in the United States, representing fewer than 1-in-10 of all Americans. The trend showed a decline of veterans to civilians from 18% in 1980 to 7% in 2018. While the overall number may be smaller, 78% of all veterans served during wartime and 22% during peacetime. The diversity of veterans will change, with Latinos projected to nearly double in the next quarter-century.
As importantly, Veterans Day is an opportunity to see how former service members are faring in our communities and how we can help. The latest data reflect that younger veterans are more successful at gaining employment in the civilian sector than older veterans, who may be suffering from multiple barriers to obtain employment. This reality adds another factor to why the homeless veteran’s population grows, with 1.4 million at risk of being without shelter across our nation.
“SER National recognizes we have a duty to train, hire and do business with veteran-owned firms wherever possible,” says Salazar. “We have 57-years’ experience in workforce training and development, and that includes veterans who are seeking to further their skills so they can pursue their education, earn certification in a new trade or profession, and many want to go into business. Each of us can undertake the task of seeking ways to make veterans feel welcome and help them reintegrate into their civilian lives once again. It is our privilege and our responsibility to make every day the right time to honor our veterans through action,” adds Salazar.
# # #
About SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. – “Cultivating America’s Greatest Resource: People”
The SER Network of Affiliates serves over 1,000,000 people annually. SER sites operate throughout the country, in 24 states and 200 locations. The SER Network provides a variety of comprehensive programs, including housing, youth services, GED classes, English language acquisition, early childhood education, older Americans training, women entrepreneurship, Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM), assistance for military Veterans, operations of workforce centers nationally, plus assisting and placing thousands of qualified men and women in unsubsidized employment.