Melissa T.’s Post

An IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL Veterans living in the EAST TEXAS AREA! MAGNAS EAST TEXAS, LLC, has been building a FREE online digital resource directory for Veterans and their families living in the East Texas area. East Texas has the second largest concentration of Veterans in the State of Texas but ranks LAST in available resources. The East Texas Veterans Directory (ETVD) lists veteran-supportive businesses and organizations in the East Texas area. We want/need our Veterans and their families to know WHO these Veteran-friendly businesses and organizations are, WHERE they are located, and WHAT services/products they provide. We are off to a pretty good start, but we genuinely need YOUR help identifying more businesses and organizations that have personally helped YOU and your family. Whether it is your handyman, doctor, attorney, realtor, auto mechanic, or a Veteran nonprofit, we want these entities listed in the directory ASAP! All we ask is that you give us their name and the city where they are located in the comment section below. By providing us with the names of these businesses/organizations, you will be helping other Veteran families who may want/need their services. Using the ETVD, you may discover a service or product that could help your family. NOTE: The ETVD is only funded by our sponsors and the area businesses and organizations that see the inherent value of supporting Veterans and their families by being listed in a directory used by thousands of East Texas Veterans and their family members. Many entities are gratuitously listed in the directory for free because they provide an essential service that benefits our Veterans and the East Texas community. After all, it is more critical our Veterans have the information available to them than worrying about exclusions due to money. PLEASE visit https://lnkd.in/dY6QBsRe. We welcome your opinion and valuable feedback on how we can make the ETVD more successful. Remember, it is a FREE resource for ALL Veterans and their families! Thank you ALL, and God Bless America! Mark Stark, USN, Chief (Ret) #veterans #veteranowned #easttexas #veteransupport

Over the years, Memorial Day’s primary meaning has become commercialized into a three-day weekend that celebrates the beginning of summer. Thanks to good old-fashioned marketing and retail promotion, Memorial Day today means sales, barbeques, trips to the beach, mountains or shore and other summer fun, rather than remembering those who died in military service to keep us free. It’s understandable. After all, celebrating summer is a much easier sell than remembering people who died in military service, often many years ago. Even those who still think about what Memorial Day really means can confuse the holiday with November’s Veterans Day, which honors our military vets for their service. By way of a reminder, Veterans Day acknowledges those who served. Memorial Day honors those who died during their service. Expanding Memorial Day celebrations to include the beginning of summer can make sense on more than just a commercial scale. The people we remember on Memorial Day died fighting to preserve our way of life. Few things represent our collective American experience better than the joys of summer. The problem is that we are forgetting about those people rather than remembering them. After years of relatively few American deaths in combat since the Vietnam War over 50 or 60 years ago, Americans have become forgetful about the horrors and human costs of war. As the last 24 months have shown, this optimism is proving to be misplaced. We are in greater danger of a broad ground war in Europe with Russia, direct military conflict with China and even a multi-front World War than we have been in decades. At the same time, the effectiveness of our military forces and the availability of ammunition, air defense resources and cybersecurity protection for our infrastructure are the worst in memory. The more we celebrate Memorial Day as the beginning of a summer of fun with hot dogs at the beach while forgetting the horrible costs of war—the greater the risk we will be unprepared for the increasingly dangerous global situation and the significant American civilian and military deaths that could result. #MemorialDay #Marketing #Politics #Publicpolicy #HR #Hospitality

This Veterans Day, I’m proud to announce the formation of our Veterans Employee Resource group (VERG) here at Fox Factory. Yesterday we had our first event welcoming Brian Flynn as a guest speaker to talk about his personal journey in the US Army Special Forces, the Two Wolf Foundation, and to discuss the importance of the VERG mission. When forming VERG, we had an end goal of going beyond just saying “thank you for your service,” and instead finding ways to give back and help our Veteran community find purpose beyond the scope of their military service. Perhaps we can help veterans assimilate back to civilian life by offering unique opportunities at Fox and in our communities. I believe Fox offers a lot of opportunity to find a greater purpose, to achieve fulfillment and to give back to our community. I am proud to be the exec sponsor for this initiative. Our guest speaker, Brian Flynn, is the embodiment of our core values. His foundation, Two Wolf, is already a recipient of our Trail Trust grant, but their mission is never done and they have so many great things planned in the future. I hope we can continue to support him and their mission of promoting healing for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress, and help establish purpose for veterans who return to civilian life by connecting them with the outdoors. I highly encourage my network to contribute to Two Wolf Foundation in any capacity. And as we enter Veterans Day weekend, I hope we can all take the time to reflect on the freedoms granted to us by those who serve, and to find a way to say “thank you for your service.” I encourage anyone to contact me if they have ideas on how an employee resource group can create lasting #impact and #makeadifference #veteransday #veterans #veteranemployment #servicemembers #Culture #impact #employeeresourcegroups

Pets for Patriots HQ is closed today in honor of Veterans Day (officially tomorrow and a federal holiday today). But for us, every day is Veterans Day: an opportunity to thank our veterans for their service for being guardians of our freedom and for making sacrifices that most of us will never fully comprehend. Join us in making every day an opportunity to show gratitude to our nation's heroes. From our timeless blog post on how to thank veterans every day of the year: 🇺🇸 Visit sick, injured and elderly veterans. If permissible, bring personal care items and home-baked goods. But your greatest gift is time, companionship, and the willingness to listen. 🇺🇸 Help a veteran get a new, or better, job. If you're not in a position to hire, make introductions, recommend a veteran for a job in your company, or help a veteran write a winning resume. Be a mentor. 🇺🇸 Adopt a veteran or military family. Invite them to your holiday or weekend gatherings. Offer to help with yard work or minor home repairs. Remember that military families serve, too, and sacrifice the comfort of their service members during deployments. 🇺🇸 Support veterans causes and those organizations that are making life better for veterans and service members. Find organizations that inspire you (like Pets for Patriots) and give as generously as you can. Remember that our veterans sacrifice for us; we need to make even small sacrifices for them. 🇺🇸 Say "Thank you for your service." Those 5 little words can make a big difference to uplift veterans who may wonder whether their sacrifices have meaning. They do. #veteransday #honorvets #supportourveterans #supportourtroops #militaryfamily #militaryfamilies #militarykids #gratitude #attitudeofgratitude

How about “You inspire me to work in public service. In the military, or as a teacher, a cop, a firefighter, in public health, for a DPW, to run for office, to work as a volunteer. Your service inspires me to do more.”

Honoring Veterans and Embracing Community in Portland Real Estate As we approach Veterans Day, it's crucial to reflect on the profound sacrifices made by our U.S. Armed Forces veterans. This day, steeped in history and personal significance, reminds us of the bravery and dedication of those who served. In Portland, Oregon, a community that deeply respects its veterans, this day holds special meaning. 🇺🇸 Understanding Veterans Day: Originally Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I, Veterans Day now honors all veterans. It's a day of appreciation, reflection, and education about the sacrifices made for our freedoms. 📚 Educational Significance: Schools and colleges play a pivotal role in commemorating Veterans Day, fostering respect and gratitude among younger generations. These institutions ensure the legacy and stories of our veterans are passed down. 🌟 Community Involvement: Across the nation, and particularly in Portland, community services, parades, and ceremonies are organized to honor our veterans. These events symbolize our collective appreciation and respect for their service. As we honor these heroes, let's also recognize the importance of community and home. In the vibrant real estate market of Portland, where community values are deeply intertwined with respect for veterans, it's essential to have a knowledgeable guide. 🏡 Real Estate in Portland: For those looking to buy or sell a home in Portland, where the spirit of community and respect for veterans is a way of life, Peter Cutile offers expert real estate guidance. His commitment mirrors the integrity and dedication of our veterans. This Veterans Day, let's celebrate our heroes and the communities they've helped shape. If you're navigating the Portland real estate market, reach out to Peter Cutile for personalized assistance. #VeteransDay #PortlandRealEstate #CommunitySpirit #HonorOurVeterans #PeterCutileRealtor #BuyHomePortland #USArmedForces #RealEstateExpert Contact Peter Cutile for Real Estate Guidance in Portland

How Can You Support Veterans? Guide them in growing a value-driven network Most of us aren't great at it because we've never been taught correctly. Transition assistance programs (like TAPS) are often a common pain point and, in my experience, provide little real value or resources. Here's How: Open the Door: Show veterans the front door and provide guidance on navigating what's behind it. Then, step back and let them learn and explore. Be a resource when they re-engage. Think of it as teaching them how to fish. Leverage the Veteran Community: Many veterans undervalue their community and view their professional network through the wrong lens. Your first-degree professional network is anyone willing to dedicate time and resources to help you without monetary exchange. Consider this the expansion of your network. It's literally limitless if you look at it this way. Find Your Network: Lean on your largest pillar of commonality. For example, Harvard graduates often help each other. The same can be said for veterans. Connect with those under your MOS, who served at the same duty station, went to the same schools, or simply served in the same branch or military. We all know what keywords and tricky phrases are attached to our military service. Use those in search bars across any social media platform to connect. Engage and Learn: Build up that community, engage in open dialogue, and learn. Remember, you don't know what you don't know, and there's a lot you don't know. Every 15-minute conversation you have with a veteran who's willing to help you will hands down give you more knowledge and more strings to pull on to accomplish your mission. PS - I bet you'll never guess who the early supporters of Highr1 were and are.....its former Navy Nukes. Most of whom I have never met but the pillar of commonality we share was more than enough to get the conversation started. From there, it was up to me. TLDR: If you're a veteran, building a value-driven veteran network that supports you is incredibly important and might be easier than you think. #VeteranSupport #MilitaryTransition #VeteranNetwork #VeteranCommunity #VeteranResources #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteranSuccess #VeteranEmpowerment #SupportOurTroops #VeteranConnections

As America’s military continues to struggle to meet recruiting targets, the proper treatment of veterans and servicemembers is increasingly vital to ensure the All-Volunteer Force continues to attract and retain talent. Despite the post-9/11 surge in support of veterans, often referred to as the “sea of goodwill,” services across the country continue to be a patchwork, with some veteran communities’ needs being met better than others. From the federal to the local level, many veteran services are underfunded or lacking resources, creating a disconnect between what they provide and what their communities need. CNAS experts are sharpening the conversation about the challenges veterans face. Continue reading this edition of Sharper to explore their ideas and recommendations.

July 25th is 'Hire a Veteran Day' - a day we at RecruitMilitary hold dear, but would like to reimagine. Here's how we'd transform this important day: First, we’d rename it to “Hire from the Military Community Day,” to honor military community spouses, who often exhibit the same leadership and resilience that distinguishes veterans. Second, we’d shift the narrative from a charitable act to a strategic business decision. Hiring from the military community isn’t just a noble cause; it's a savvy business move. Veterans and their spouses bring unmatched leadership qualities, resilience, and the ability to thrive under pressure - traits cultivated in an environment unlike any found in the civilian world. So to all employers: this July 25th, let’s not just recognize Hire a Veteran Day. Let’s expand it to appreciate the entire military community and understand the profound business value they bring.

How can we turn gratitude for our veterans into action? Over the next five years, more than 1,000,000 veterans will leave active duty, a number not seen since the end of World War II. We must do more than say, "Thanks for your service." We need to take decisive action to give our veterans a sense of hope and purpose as they return from their service. Dale Eisenberg and I created Veteran Business Project (VBP), a nonprofit organization that helps military members, veterans, and their spouses forge a path to small business ownership. VBP offers education and resources, including experienced business mentors, so veterans can lead healthy, purpose-filled lives, which, in my opinion, is the best way to thank them for their service. Please consider joining our mission today by registering to receive important updates about VBP's mission and its significant impact. Stay informed and help us share vital information with deserving veterans and their families. Together, we can make a powerful difference. Newsletter SignUp - Veteran Business Project Sign up for the Veteran Business Project e-newsletter. Stay up-to-date on all things Veteran Business Project. Read about upcoming events, new programs, success stories, and more! https://lnkd.in/gv4qif4w