Hire A Veteran: Resources & Information To Help Vets Find a Job; Saluting Tuskegee Airmen; Hoops For Heroes: David Cummings; RIP Police Officer Daniel Clark; Debut Of Our First "Knucklehead Award"

"The sacrifice they've made, the commitment to their country and then to find themselves unemployed is a terrible thing...I don't know if we can ever do enough for veterans."---Air Force veteran advocate Walter Tafe.

The Next Battle Veterans Face Is Getting a Job

The unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans is over 12% (national average for October is 9%). For veterans ages 20-24, the unemployment rate is 29.1%.  And the gap between veterans and their non-veteran counterparts is widening. So what are these veterans to do? Fortunately, there are now a number of good options and programs available with more coming soon.

• This week the Senate passed a jobs bill to help unemployed veterans. The House is expected to take the bill up next week. It's expected to pass. Employers will be given a $5,660.00 tax credit for hiring veterans unemployed for more than 6 months. It will also provide a $9,600.00 tax credit for long-term disabled veterans. The bill also provides education and job training programs.
• There are now a number of states providing programs to help veterans get jobs. In Michigan, with a veteran unemployment rate at 16%, created Vets To Ag. This program trains veterans in farming and land care. Utah created The Military to Civilian Crosswalk for Accelerated Employment Opportunities Project. Helmets to Hardhats is a nationwide program is aimed at also getting vets back to work.
• There are also a number of online web sites dedicated to helping veterans find work. Some of these include HirePatriots.com, Hire A Hero, Hire Heroes USA, Swords to Plowshares, Military.com, Vet Jobs, Wounded Warriors Project's "Warriors to Work," and TAO online. In addition, this blog has links to help vets find work.
• Many areas in the United States provide better opportunities for veterans to find work. For example, Oklahoma City has been ranked as the best place for military retirees to find work. Norfolk, VA, is a close second. Those are followed by Richmond, VA; Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Philadelphia, PA, and Raleigh, N.C. Military.com lists over 300 such areas.

(Sources: USA Today and US Department of Labor)


A Documentary To Salute Tuskegee Airmen

Double Victory, a film by George Lucas, was released on Veterans Day. The aim of the film is to promote more awareness about the heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen. The release of the film coincides with the 70th anniversary of the first cadet class of Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were the nation's first African American fighter pilots. They had to overcome overt racism and the erroneous belief that African Americans lacked the intelligence and courage to be pilots. In 2007, President George W. Bush honored the Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal.

In 1995, The Tuskegee Airmen, a major motion picture starring Laurence Fishburn, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Andre Braugher and an outstanding cast, was released to critical acclaim.


Dave Cummings Reaches One Million Foul Shots For Veterans and Their Families

It took two years, but Dave Cummings did it. On Veterans Day, the 44 year old Cummings succeeded in making one million foul shots to benefit the troops and military families. He averaged 1,300 free throws a day since Veterans Day of 2009. He called his project, "Hoops for Heroes." He raised almost $70,000 which will be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Throughout his mission, his slogan was "One Million Shots; Endless Gratitude."
(Source: NPR).

RIP Police Officer Daniel Clark

San Bernadino Police Officer, Daniel Clark, died as a result of complications from surgery due to a work-related injury. Officer Clark was a 20 year veteran of the department. He is survived by his wife and daughter. (Source: Officer Down Memorial Page)

Debuting Our First "Knucklehead Award."

Dedicated to Heroes is debuting its first "Knucklehead Award." And the award goes to ---Richmond, California Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. This mayor decided to attend an Occupy rally rather than a Veterans Day memorial. While she has every right to attend whatever rally she wants, it's disgraceful she decided to snub those veterans who fought for the right of the Occupiers to promote their own free speech. But after some consideration, perhaps it's better she didn't defile the memory of America's veterans with her presence.