The Dallas Region is home to over 358,000 veterans (2022 est.) according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That’s nearly a quarter of Texas’ entire veteran population. With such a large community living in our region, the Dallas Regional Chamber is proud to support Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day began in 1919 to commemorate those who fought in World War I. President Woodrow Wilson chose Nov. 11 in recognition of the armistice agreement that ended the war. But as the decades progressed, the term “armistice” failed to account for soldiers involved in World War II and the Korean War. At the urging of veterans’ service organizations, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day in 1954 and released the first Veterans Day Proclamation honoring all American veterans of all wars.
Despite the long history of Veterans Day, veterans today face challenges upon completing their service and returning to civilian life, in health care, housing, and in the workplace. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the employment rate of veterans is 45.6%, compared to the 60.7% rate for civilians. To ensure that veterans are prioritized by their employers, companies can create policies that address veterans’ specific needs and allow them to capitalize on their unique skillsets.
Below are some resources to learn more about veterans and how to hire and support them in the workplace.
Read and Watch:
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- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | Veterans Employment Toolkit
- Military.com | How Employers Can Support Veterans in the Workplace
- U.S. National Library of Medicine | The Workplace Integration of Veterans: Applying Diversity and Fit Perspectives
- U.S. Veterans Magazine | 12 Tips for Effectively Managing Veterans in the Workplace
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Events:
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- October 30 – December 2 | Veterans Juried Art Exhibition – call for art
- November 5 | Fly-In Celebration
- November 9 | Veterans Day Luncheon – Richardson
- November 10 | Veterans Day Luncheon – Plano
- November 10 | Veteran Community Social 2022
- November 11 | Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony
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How to Hire and Support Veterans in the Workplace:
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- Participate in veteran hiring programs with organizations like RecruitMilitary, Hiring Our Heroes, Hire Heroes USA, Hiring Red, White & You!, or NPower.
- Use the Veterans Employment Toolkit to train recruiters and hiring managers to understand why veterans make good employees and how military service can translate into the workplace.
- Include veterans in the organizational culture by clearly explaining workplace procedures during onboarding or establishing a mentor system.
- Organize a volunteer event focused on engaging with veterans in the community through organizations like The Mission Continues or Soldiers’ Angels.
- Support veteran-owned business! Find local veteran-owned businesses at VeteranOwnedBusiness.com.
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