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GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
ANNUAL SALUTE TO VETERANS.
TODAY'S CEREMONY IS AN ANNUAL
TRADITION WHERE WE HONOR THOSE
WHO HAVE SERVED IN AMERICA'S
ARMED FORCES. OUR VETERANS.
TODAY WHEN WE HONOR THOSE WHO IN
MANY CASES HAVE MADE THE
GREATEST SACRIFICES FOR OUR
NATION, THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED TO
MAKE SURE THEIR COUNTRY IS
SAFE AND PROTECTED.
PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS SAID THAT
CARING FOR VETERANS IS A MATTER
OF NATIONAL HONOR.
AS WE TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT
ON THIS DAY OF HONOR, LET US
NEVER FORGET OUR SACRED TRUST
FOR RETURNING MEN AND WOMEN.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'RE
THRILLED TO HAVE YOU HERE THIS MORNING.
PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRESENTATION
OF COLORS OF THE JOINT COLOR
GUARD OF THE MILITARY DISTRICT
OF WASHINGTON AND REMAIN
STANDING FOR THE NATIONAL
ANTHEM, THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE, AND THE INVOCATION.
POST THE COLORS.
>> IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO
INTRODUCE THE WINNER OF THE
MILITARY'S AMERICAN IDOL COMPETITION,
SERGEANT VICTORIA GOLDING OF THE
WASHINGTON DC ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WHO
WILL SING OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
[NATIONAL ANTHEM]
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU VICTORIA.
IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO
INTRODUCE MR. RON DRACK WHO WILL
LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
RON IS A DISTINGUISHED VETERAN
OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
>> IT IS NOW OUR PLEASURE TO
INTRODUCE OUR REGIONAL
ADMINISTER FOR THE ATLANTA
REGION MR. BILL BOWLS WHO WILL
LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION.
LET US PRAY. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK
YOUR HAND ON THIS GATHERING AND YOUR GRACE
AND PROTECTION ON THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND ARE SERVING
IN DEFENSE OF THIS GREAT NATION.
WE ASK ALSO FOR THOSE WHO WAIT
AND BEAR THE PRESSURES OF HOME
WITHOUT THEIR PARTNERS THAT THEY FIND
THE PEACE AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF UNDERSTANDING
OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO SERVE
THE FREEDOM OF OUR NATION.
WE ASK YOUR BLESSING AND HEALING ON THE
WOUNDS OF THOSE WHO BEAR THE SCARS OF BATTLE
AND FOR THE FAMILIES DEVASTATED BY
THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES.
PLEASE, LORD, GRANT WISDOM TO OUR
LEADERS AND STRENGTH TO STAY THE COURSE.
WE PRAY YOU WILL KEEP AMERICA GREAT
OUR PEOPLE FREE, AND DEDICATED TO HELPING ANY AND ALL
EVER STEADFAST DEFENDERS OF
TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND FREEDOM.
WE ASK ALL THIS IN YOUR SON
JESUS CHRIST NAME, AMEN.
>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR
THE RETIREMENT OF THE COLORS.
PLEASE BE SEATED.
MADAM SECRETARY, MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME.
WE'RE BROADCASTING THIS LIVE
TODAY TO ALL 15,000 MEMBERS OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TEAM
ACROSS THE NATION TO INCLUDE ALL
OF OUR REGIONAL OFFICES.
TODAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY.
WE GATHER TO PAY TRIBUTE TO
THOSE HEROES WHO SERVED WITH
HONOR, WITH DISTINCTION AND
COURAGE SO WE CAN ENJOY THE
FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE EACH AND
EVERY DAY.
THERE ARE VETERANS WHO ARE VERY
SPECIAL PEOPLE.
CITIZENS WHO HAVE MADE THE
GREATEST SACRIFICES AND DONE
EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TO PROTECT
OUR WAY OF LIFE.
SO WHAT IS A VETERAN?
AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE
VETERAN'S DAY?
IN REFLECTING ON THIS, I THOUGHT
IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO SHARE
THE WORDS OF THE POET LINDA
ELLIS WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
SHE WRITES, MOMMY, WHAT IS A
VETERAN?
MOMMY, WHAT IS A VETERAN?
MY CHILD ASKED IN AN INNOCENT
WAY.
AND COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO
ME WHY WE HAVE A VETERAN'S DAY?
MY MIND SEARCHED FOR THE
ADJECTIVES THAT MIGHT HELP ME
CLARIFY THOSE PEOPLE WHO FOR
THEIR COUNTRY HAVE LOOKED DEATH
IN THE EYE.
I QUICKLY GRABBED THE DICTIONARY
TO SEE WHAT WEBSTER MAY HAVE
USED, BUT ONE WHO SERVED IN THE
ARMED FORCES WERE NOT THE WORDS
THAT I WOULD CHOOSE.
SO HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A
VETERAN?
SOLDIERS WHO YOU HAVE NEVER MET.
THOSE YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THE
NAMES OF AND YET NEVER WILL
FORGET.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A VETERAN,
HOW DO YOU CONVEY A DEFINITION
FOR THOSE WHO BROUGHT THIS
COUNTRY'S DREAMS TO THEIR
ULTIMATE FRUITION?
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A VETERAN
STRANGERS WHO FOUGHT FOR YOU,
MEN AND WOMEN WHO RISKED THEIR
LIVES, FOR PEOPLE THEY NEVER
KNEW.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A VETERAN
AND ALL THE SACRIFICES THEY MADE
SO THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN'S
CHILDREN COULD LIVE FREE AND
UNAFRAID.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A VETERAN
FOR A CHILD'S SAKE, YOU SAY A
VETERAN IS A PERSON TO WHOM WE
OWE EVERY BREATH WE TAKE.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE VERY
SPECIAL GUESTS WE HAVE IN THE
AUDIENCE HERE TODAY.
SENATOR AKAKA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
SENATE VETERAN'S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE,
AND AMERICA'S FIRST SENATOR OF
NATIVE HAWAIIAN ANCESTRY.
SENATOR AKAKA.
[APPLAUSE].
SENATOR AKAKA SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY
DURING WORLD WAR II AND THE U.S.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FROM 1945 TO 1947.
HE HAS THE DISTINCT HONOR OF
BEING ONE OF THE 3 REMAINING
VETERANS FROM WORLD WAR II WHO
ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE
U.S. SENATE SO YOU HAVE BEEN A
ROLE MODEL AND INSPIRATION TO ME
PERSONALLY.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE
SUPPORT YOU GIVE VETERANS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[APPLAUSE].
THE SENATOR TOLD ME THIS MORNING WE
ACTUALLY HAVE A COMMITTEE
HEARING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
THIS WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT I
PASSED THE GAVEL ALONG SO I COULD
BE HERE TODAY SO WE REALLY,
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
WE HAVE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE WHO ARE PRESENT OR ON
THEIR WAY BUT CHAIRMAN BOB FILNER SHOULD BE WITH
US, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE
VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, A
TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS
ISSUES OVER 8 TERMS IN CONGRESS.
ALSO MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE
REPRESENTATIVE HARRY TEAGUE,
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN HALL.
FROM THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND
LABOR COMMITTEE WE'RE APPRECIATIVE TO HAVE JOINING US,
REPRESENTATIVE TIM BISHOP,
REPRESENTATIVE DAVE LOEBSACK,
REPRESENTATIVE CAROL SHEA-PORTER
AND REPRESENTATIVE GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN
PLEASE GIVE OUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS THIS MORNING ANOTHER
ROUND OF APPRECIATION.
[APPLAUSE].
WE HAVE SEVERAL DISTINGUISHED
GUESTS HERE THIS MORNING FROM
THE ADMINISTRATION.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
KNOWLEDGE 2 OF THEM.
FIRST, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
HONORABLE MR. SCOTT GOULD.
[APPLAUSE].
>> SCOTT IS A VETERAN OF THE
U.S. NAVY HAVING SERVED AT SEA
ABOARD THE MISSILE DESTROY
RICHARD E BIRD.
HE WAS RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR OPERATION
NOBLE EAGLE AND ENDURING FREEDOM.
HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER AND ASSISTANT
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION.
I'M HONORED TO CALL SCOTT A CLOSE FRIEND.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS,
AND AS SECRETARY SOLIS AND
SECRETARY SHINSEKI HAVE
SAID NUMEROUS TIMES, WE'RE ONLY
JUST BEGINNING, THANK YOU SCOTT
FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
AND ALSO WE HAVE WITH US THE
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF COMMERCE,
THE HONORABLE DENNIS HIGHTOWER.
HE WAS A PROFESSOR WHEN I WAS
STUDYING AT HARVARD BUSINESS
SCHOOL, HAS BEEN A FRIEND AND
MENTOR EVER SINCE.
SECRETARY HIGHTOWER SERVED WITH
RANGER AND SPECIAL FORCES UNITS
IN VIETNAM, DECORATED REPEATEDLY
FOR VALOR, ROSE TO THE RANK OF
MAJOR BY THE AGE OF 27, HE'S
ALSO ONE OF THE MOST
DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS
EXECUTIVES SERVING IN THE
ADMINISTRATION, HAVING SERVED ON
THE BOARDS OF DOMINOES PIZZA,
NORTHWEST AIRLINES, AND A
PRESIDENT WITH WALT DISNEY AND
DEPUTY SECRETARY HIGHTOWER HAS
BEEN EXTRAORDINARY HELPFUL AS WE
HERE DEVELOP OUR OUTREACH FOR
THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TO
EMPLOYERS.
DEPUTY SECRETARY HIGHTOWER.
[APPLAUSE].
WE'RE ALSO HONORED TO HAVE SEVERAL
ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND AGENCY
HEADS HERE TODAY.
WE ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE
MANY VETERAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE IN THE
AUDIENCE WHO EACH AND EVERY DAY
ARE WORKING TO HELP VETERANS TO
ADVANCE VETERANS ISSUES.
FOR THOSE MEMBERS OF THE
VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
WHO ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE
TODAY, COULD YOU PLEASE RISE AND
BE RECOGNIZED?
[APPLAUSE] ANOTHER ONE OF OUR
PARTNERS WHO ARE HERE TODAY ARE
THE MANY LEADERS FROM THE LABOR
MOVEMENT, WE'RE GOING TO BE
WORKING TOGETHER ON VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT AS WELL AS, IF THE
LEADERS COULD STAND AND BE
RECOGNIZED, WE WOULD APPRECIATE
THAT, TOO.
[APPLAUSE].
FINALLY WE HAVE SOME GUESTS FROM
MISSOURI, OUR JOBS VETERAN STATE
GRANTS PROGRAM HERE AFTER HAVING
WON AN AWARD IN THE RECOGNITION
FOR BEING THE ORGANIZATION THAT
PROVIDES THE BEST SERVICE IN THE
STATE OF MISSOURI TO HELP
VETERANS GAIN EMPLOYMENT.
IF THOSE MEMBERS FROM MISSOURI
WHO ARE HERE, WITH THAT
DELEGATION, COULD YOU PLEASE
RISE?
[APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ONE OF THE
SECRETARY SOLIS AND DEPUTY SECRETARY SETH HARRIS'
PRIORITIES IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE
PART OF INVESTING IN PEOPLE IS
RECOGNIZING PEOPLE.
RECOGNIZING THEM FOR THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS, RECOGNIZING THEM
FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND ALSO
THANKING AND RECOGNIZING THEM
WHEN THEY TRANSITION OUT OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE WITH US
TODAY ONE OF THE STATE DIRECTORS
A ROLL THAT WE CALL D. VETS WHO
SERVED OUR NATION FOR 34 YEARS
AND WHO HAS SERVED AS A STATE
DIRECTOR FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FOR 30
YEARS.
AND ELSE'S HERE TODAY TO RECEIVE
SOME VERY KIND REMARKS AND AWARD
FROM SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN A
TIRELESS SUPPORTER OF US HERE AT
VETS AND LABOR, PLEASE GIVE A
WARM ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF LABOR, THE
HONORABLE SETH HARRIS.
[APPLAUSE].
COME UP HERE.
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING
AND HELPING US CELEBRATE OUR
VETERANS.
EARL, COME RIGHT OVER HERE.
SO ON JULY 29, 1979, THIS YOUNG
MAN BECAME THE FIRST COMBAT
WOUNDED VETERAN WITH A
DISABILITY FROM THE VIETNAM WAR
TO BE HIRED AS A STATE DIRECTOR
FOR THE VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING SERVICE IN THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
HE WAS WOUNDED IN VIETNAM WITH A
5th MARINES IN MAY, 1968.
ANY MARINES IN THE HOUSE?
[LAUGHTER AND CHEERS]
>> I COULD SET OFF A SERVICE --
>> [LAUGHTER]
>> IS THERE ANY ARMY IN THE HOUSE?
[LAUGHTER AND CHEERS]
ANY NAVY IN THE HOUSE?
IS THERE ANY NAVY IN THE HOUSE?
[LAUGHTER AND CHEERS]
AIR FORCE?
[LAUGHTER AND LIGHT CHEERS]
OH, MY.
ANY COAST GUARD IN THE HOUSE? [SILENCE]
SEE?
[LAUGHTER]
WHY WOULD THAT BE THE FIRST TIME
I TAKE HIS ADVICE?
[LAUGHTER]
I'M SORRY, EARL.
EARL WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN
JUNE OF 1968 AND TURNED TO THE
THEN VETERANS ADMINISTRATION,
NOW VETERANS AFFAIRS, THEIR
REHABILITATION PROGRAM HELPED
HIM TO GO THROUGH COLLEGE.
HE WAS HIRED IN 1972 AS A
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT
REPRESENTATIVE WITH SOUTH DAKOTA
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, A LOCAL
WHAT WE CALL LOCAL VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVE, A
LEAVER IN OUR LEXICON, EARL
RECEIVED A NUMBER OF STATE AND
NATIONAL AWARDS, FEATURED IN THE
NATIONAL VFW MAGAZINE, RECEIVED
THE ACHIEVEMENT WAR FROM
PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, AND
SINCE BEING HIRED AS A D. VET
WITH VETS D.O.L. EARL HAS SERVED
WITH OUTSTANDING DISTINCTION AS
A MENTOR AND ROLE MODEL FOR NEW
D. VETS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
PARTICIPATED ON MANY NATIONAL
WORK COMMITTEES.
AND HAS BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR
MINORITY VETERANS ESPECIALLY
RETURNING NATIVE AMERICAN
VETERANS IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
[APPLAUSE].
IN JANUARY OF THIS COMING YEAR,
EARL IS GOING TO BID FAREWELL
TO DOL VETS AND HE RETIRES
FROM PUBLIC SERVICE AND
CONTINUES ON HIS LIFE JOURNEY.
ALTHOUGH LET ME SAY I HAVEN'T
SIGNED THAT MEMO YET.
[LAUGHTER]
I PROBABLY WILL.
AND LET ME SAY HE'S AN
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT AND
PATRIOT.
WE'RE REALLY GOING TO MISS HIS
LEADERSHIP IN THE VET'S
ORGANIZATION FOR HIS MANY YEARS
OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE. WE'D
LIKE TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE EARL
FOR THE NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS
HE'S MADE TO VETERANS AND THEIR
FAMILIES.
I KNOW YOU WANT TO JOIN ME IN
THANKING EARL FOR HIS SERVICE.
[APPLAUSE].
[INAUDIBLE].
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU, EARL.
THANK YOU, SETH.
THANK YOU, SETH, FOR ALL THE
SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE TO VETS.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> AS PART OF THIS YEAR'S
PROGRAM, FOR HONORING VETERANS,
WE'RE NOW GOING TO HAVE A VERY
SPECIAL COMPONENT OF THE DAY.
OUR SECRETARY IS GOING TO HOST A
DISCUSSION WITH 2 EXTRAORDINARY
WOMEN WHO EXEMPLIFY THE
LEADERSHIP, THE TALENT, AND THE
SPIRIT, THE MILITARY CULTIVATES
IN ITS MEMBERS.
LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
INTRODUCE TO YOU THESE 2
DISTINGUISHED AND TRULY
INSPIRING WOMEN.
CAPTAIN RETIRED DAWN HALFAKER.
SHE IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER OF HALFAKER AND ASSOCIATES.
SHE'S A WEST POINT GRADUATE.
AND BEGAN HER CAREER AS A
MILITARY POLICE OFFICER IN THE
U.S. ARMY.
SHE DEPLOYED TO IRAQ WITH A
THIRD INFANTRY DIVISION SERVING
AS A PLATOON LEADER AND DEPUTY
PROVOST MARSHAL.
AS PART OF IRAQI FREEDOM.
SOME OF YOU KNOW HER STORY.
IN 2004 DAWN WAS WOUNDED DURING
A COMBAT PATROL NEAR BAGHDAD
LOSING HER RIGHT ARM.
HER ACTIONS IN THAT SITUATION
WERE LATER RECOGNIZED WITH THE
BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE
HEART.
THIS IS A WOMAN WHO HAS A VERY
BIG HEART.
SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE GIVEN UP
AT THAT POINT BUT NOT DAWN.
IN JANUARY OF 2006 AFTER LEAVING
THE SERVICE SHE FOUNDED HALFAKER
AND ASSOCIATES, PROVIDED
NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICES TO
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
IN 2006 HER COMPANY HAD ONE
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE.
BUT TODAY THEY EMPLOY OVER 110
EMPLOYEES ACROSS 6 STATES AND
85% OF THEM ARE VETERANS.
PLEASE GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO DAWN HALFAKER!
[APPLAUSE].
WE HAVE NOT JUST ONE, BUT TWO
EXTRAORDINARY LEADERS HERE TODAY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR RETIRED MICHELLE S. JONES.
MICHELLE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO
SERVE AS THE COMMAND SERGEANT
MAJOR OF THE U.S. ARMY RESERVES.
THIS MEANS SHE WAS THE HIGHEST
RANKING ENLISTED MEMBER OF THE
ENTIRE U.S. ARMY RESERVE. GIVE IT UP.
[APPLAUSE].
I TOLD HER I WAS GOING TO
EMBARRASS HER A LITTLE BIT.
BECAUSE MICHELLE WAS ALSO THE
HIGHEST RANKING AFRICAN AMERICAN
ENLISTED MEMBER IN ANY SERVICE
IN THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE WORLDWIDE WHEN SHE WAS
ON ACTIVE DUTY.
[APPLAUSE].
SHE WAS ALSO THE FIRST FEMALE TO
SERVE AS THE COMMAND SERGEANT
MAJOR, THE SENIOR ENLISTED OF
ANY OF THE ARMY'S COMPONENTS
ACTIVE DUTY OR RESERVE,
PRESENTLY SERVES AS A SENIOR
ADVISOR TO U.S. SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE AND HIS LIAISON TO THE
WHITE HOUSE, PLEASE GIVE A WARM
WELCOME TO MICHELLE JONES.
[APPLAUSE].
I'M HONORED TO CALL BOTH OF
THEM FRIENDS.
NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR
HOST FOR THE PROGRAM, THE 25th
SECRETARY OF LABOR, THE FIRST
FEMALE RECIPIENT OF THE JOHN F.
KENNEDY PROFILE IN COURAGE
AWARD AND THE FIRST HISPANIC
WOMAN TO SERVE IN THE UNITED
STATES CABINET, AND A TIRELESS
CHAMPION, ADVOCATE AND SUPPORTER
OF VETERANS AND US HERE AT VETS
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, PLEASE GIVE
A WARM, WARM WELCOME TO OUR
SECRETARY, THE HONORABLE HILDA SOLIS.
[APPLAUSE].
>> WOW.
WHAT A TREMENDOUS DAY IT IS.
AND TO BE HERE AS THE SECRETARY
OF LABOR IS A VERY AWESOME
MOMENT.
WHAT CAN I SAY?
IT IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A VERY
SPECIAL TIME FOR US TO CELEBRATE
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR
VETERANS.
AND I WANT TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO
PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
TO RAY JEFFERSON WHO JUST
CONTINUES TO ASTOUND ME.
[APPLAUSE].
I WANT TO THANK ALL OUR STAFF
THE VET STAFF AND OBVIOUSLY OUR
STAFF THAT HELPED TO PUT THIS
TOGETHER, ALL OF YOU ARE VERY
MUCH APPRECIATED FOR ALL THE
WORK THAT YOU DO.
I WANT TO ALSO THANK SENATOR FOR
BEING HERE, ONE OF MY HEROES,
AND I JUST CAN'T TELL YOU HOW
PLEASED I AM TO SEE YOU AS WELL
AS ALL THE OTHER GUESTS THAT
HAVE COME BY TO SEE US.
THE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS,
VETERAN'S GROUPS, UNION MEMBERS,
BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS
OF DOL.
AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING
FROM AFAR, WE SEND YOU A VERY
STRONG HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IN THIS
SPECIAL DAY OF CELEBRATION.
YOU'VE HEARD THE BACKGROUNDS
ALREADY OF THESE 2 OUTSTANDING
WOMEN.
AND WHILE WE'RE HERE TO
CELEBRATE VETERAN'S DAY IT'S
ALWAYS A SOLEMN TIME I THINK FOR
SOME OF US BECAUSE WE THINK
ABOUT THE SACRIFICES THAT HAVE
BEEN GIVEN, THOSE THAT HAVE
GIVEN THE ULTIMATE IN TERMS OF
THEIR LIFE TO DEFEND OUR
FREEDOMS.
AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE CURRENTLY
SERVING ABROAD NOW, BOTH MEN AND
WOMEN IN UNIFORM AND FOR THOSE
RECENT FALLEN SOLDIERS FROM
AFGHANISTAN I PRAY FOR THEIR
FAMILIES AND I KNOW THAT THE
PRESIDENT FEELS STRONGLY AND
DEEPLY ABOUT THE SAFETY AND
SECURITY OF ALL OUR MEN AND
WOMEN ACROSS THE WORLD.
I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO BE ABLE
TO SERVE AS THE 25th SECRETARY
OF LABOR, TO KNOW THAT ONE OF
THE PROUD SHINING STARS IN OUR
AGENCY IS THE VETS DIVISION.
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I BRING
PERSONALLY AS A COMMITMENT FOR
MY TIME AS A MEMBER IN THE
HOUSE, WORKING ALONG SIDE WITH
VARIOUS MEMBERS CONGRESSMAN
FILNER, SENATOR AKAKA,
OTHER FOLKS WHO HAVE WORKED
TIRELESSLY TO MAKE VETERANS
PATHS EASIER ONCE THEY
RETURN HOME FROM WAR, TO HELP
THE SOLDIERS, FAMILIES, MORE
IMPORTANTLY THOSE SOLDIERS THAT
HAVE COME HOME.
AND I'M TALKING ABOUT THOSE THAT
STILL NEED HELP, WORLD WAR II
VETS, KOREAN VETS, VIETNAM VETS,
GULF WAR VETS, EVERY SINGLE ONE
OF THEM, EVEN THOSE THAT DID NOT
SEE MILITARY BATTLE ARE AFFECTED
BY WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR LIVES.
AND I KNOW THAT RAY AND I FEEL
VERY DEEPLY TRYING TO EXPAND OUR
SERVICES IN THIS NEW
ADMINISTRATION THROUGH OUR
DEPARTMENT TO SEE THAT WE
PROVIDE ANY KIND OF ESPECIALLY
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE
RETURNING VETERANS.
I'M DELIGHTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE
CONTRIBUTIONS THAT YOU HAVE MADE TO
HIRE THOSE VETERANS THAT ARE
COMING HOME AND OPEN UP THE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM, AND ALSO
TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SUCH
SHINING STARS IN OUR COMMUNITY
THAT CONTINUE TO BE THOSE HEROES
THAT WE CAN -- THAT WE CAN HOLD
UP AND SAY THESE ARE OUR ROLE
MODELS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND
FOR THOSE MANY THAT ARE GOING TO
COME TO US THAT ARE GOING TO BE
RETURNING HOME, THEY'RE GOING TO
LOOK FOR A WAY TO BECOME
IMPORTANT CIVIC LEADERS
INTEGRATING BACK INTO OUR
SOCIETY, WHETHER IT'S SERVING
AGAIN OUR COUNTRY, FINDING A
GOOD JOB, PROVIDER FOR THEIR
FAMILY, OR FINDING A PLACE TO
LIVE BECAUSE WE DON'T TALK
ENOUGH ABOUT THOSE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF VETERANS, MEN AND
WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO
REMAIN HOMELESS.
I KNOW THAT MR. SHINSEKI
AND I SHARE THAT VALUE THAT WE
KNOW THAT WE WON'T STOP UNTIL WE
FIND PLACES FOR OUR HOMELESS
VETERANS, BOTH THEIR MEN AND
WOMEN, AND THEIR CHILDREN.
AND THAT IS A BIG PRIORITY.
I KNOW THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS.
I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR
GUESTS AND JUST ASK THEM WHAT
KINDS OF THINGS AND CHALLENGES
MAYBE THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH US
THAT WE CAN LOOK TOWARD TO SEE
HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF
OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN THAT
ARE COMING BACK, AND I'LL START
WITH YOU BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'VE
DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB IN HELPING
TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR THESE
RETURNING VETERANS.
HOW CAN WE EXPAND THAT?
BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'VE --
MAYBE WE CAN LEARN FROM YOU AS
TO HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESSES
AND OTHER INDUSTRIES AND
NONPROFITS TO OPEN UP THEIR
DOORS.
>> WELL, THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME,
VERY HUMBLING TO BE HERE AND
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
I DO GET THE QUESTION A LOT, YOU
KNOW, DO YOU TRY TO HIRE
VETERANS, WHY DO YOU TRY TO HIRE
VETERANS, HOW DO YOU HIRE
VETERANS.
AND I THINK THE ONE WORD ANSWER
TO THAT IS COMMITMENT.
AND I THINK THAT AS WE'RE
LOOKING OUT THERE AS EMPLOYERS
AT SORT OF, YOU KNOW, A POOL OF
TALENT, PEOPLE WE WANT TO REACH
OUT TO, WHETHER IT'S A
GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION, A
COMPANY, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS.
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING
SPECIAL, LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY
WHO IS GOING TO INVEST THEIR
PERSONAL TIME, THEIR ENERGY INTO
A TEAM TO MAKE IT BETTER AND TO
MOVE IT FORWARD.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT I THINK REALLY STANDS OUT
TO ME IN HIRING VETERANS AND
WHAT I'VE GOTTEN OUT OF THE
EXPERIENCE.
FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, THE --
BEING ON THE BATTLEFIELD, BEING
A PART OF A TEAM AND BEING A
PART OF A UNIT WHERE YOU'RE
GIVEN A MISSION.
YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE
RESOURCES, THE TIME, THE ABILITY
TO COME UP WITH THE PERFECT
PLAN.
IF YOU DO, YOU DON'T ALWAYS THE
ABILITY TO EXECUTE IT PERFECTLY.
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE VETERANS AND
WHEN YOU HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE
THAT HAVE COMMITTED TO SOMETHING
THAT'S LARGER THAN THEMSELVES,
THEY'RE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER
IT TAKES TO GET THAT MISSION DONE.
AND I THINK FOR ME AS AN
EMPLOYER THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE
VETERAN COMMUNITY BRINGS, THAT
THEY BRING COMMITMENT, A SENSE
OF PURPOSE AND THEY BRING AN
ATTITUDE, A TEAM ATTITUDE, THAT
THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF
SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES.
CERTAINLY THERE IS A BOND THERE AS WELL.
SO I THINK JUST AS FAR AS WHAT
CAN WE DO, CERTAINLY WE ALL,
INK, RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL
THAT'S OUT THERE BUT I THINK
IT'S A MATTER OF HELPING THE
RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS,
WOUNDED WARRIORS, VETERANS,
REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS
THAT THEY HAVE LEFT TO CONTRIBUTE.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGES FOR ME WAS REALLY,
YOU KNOW, HAVING MY CAREER END
PREMATURELY NOT JUST WITH THE
LOT OF AN ARM BUT THE LOSS OF A CAREER.
AND I THINK REGARDLESS OF HOW
YOU TRANSITIONING, IT'S VERY,
VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND AND
SAY WELL, THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW.
THIS IS WHAT I'M GOOD AT, THIS
IS WHAT SKILLS I HAVE.
I MEAN YOU REALLY DON'T
UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO I THINK IT REALLY STARTS WITH
THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND HELPING
WITH RESUME WRITING, HELPING
WITH UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT
CAREERS OUT THERE, THE
DVERS, LVERS, YOU KNOW, THE
VA'S VOC REHAB PROGRAM.
THERE IS SO MANY GREAT PROGRAMS OUT THERE.
IT'S THAT ONE ON ONE INTERACTION
SITTING DOWN SAYING THESE ARE
THE SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE, THESE
ARE THE THINGS THAT
DIFFERENTIATE YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT THEM.
LET'S PUT THEM DOWN ON PAPER.
AND LET'S GO FIND SOME PROGRAMS
THAT CAN HELP YOU.
LET'S ENGAGE THE BUSINESS
COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, AS RAY'S
OFFICE IS DOING, THIS IS WHAT
VETERANS CAN OVER YOU.
LET'S BRING THEM INTO THE ORGANIZATION.
I KNOW IT'S A LONG WINDED ANSWER.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE, I
THINK HAD SUCCESS WITH.
IT'S THE COMMITMENT TO GO DO IT.
JUST GO DO IT.
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE].
>> DITTO EVERYTHING SHE SAID.
>> [LAUGHTER]
>> I HAVE TO DO THIS, MAKE SURE
THE ARMY IS IN THE HOUSE?
JUST HAD TO DO THAT.
I HAD MY ARMY VIBE GOING ON.
EVERYTHING SHE SAID.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD IS
PRIOR TO A MILITARY MEMBER
BECOMING A VETERAN, THE
OUTREACH, THE PARTNERSHIP ON --
WITHIN THE INSTALLATION, WITHIN
THE COMMUNITY EVEN BEFORE A
MILITARY MEMBER GETS OUT IS CRITICAL.
IF A SOLDIER MARINE AIRMEN COAST
GUARD HAS A RELATIONSHIP OR SEES
THAT BUSINESS BEING INVOLVED
WHEN THINGS ARE GOOD, IF THEY'RE
SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES, WHEN
THEY'RE GONE, AND WHEN THEY
RETURN, THERE IS ALREADY AN
UNDERSTANDING, A CREDIBILITY
FACTOR, AND THAT PARTICULAR
EMPLOYER OR BUSINESS HAS REACHED
OUT TO THAT MILITARY MEMBER ALREADY.
SO THE FASHION IS ALREADY THERE.
THE RECOGNITION -- FACE IS
ALREADY THERE, THE RECOGNITION
IS ALREADY THERE.
SOMETIMES BUSINESSES ARE AFRAID
OR THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO
TO AND WHEN I SAY AFRAID, NOT
EVERY BUSINESS UNDERSTANDS THE MILITARY.
NOT EVERY BUSINESS UNDERSTANDS
THE VETERAN.
FIRST OF ALL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE
FACE THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT IS THE FACE OF A VETERAN?
IT COULD BE 19 YEARS OLD.
IT COULD BE LIKE ME, 80 YEARS OLD.
[LAUGHTER] TRUTH BE TOLD.
THE FACE OF A VETERAN MAY BE A
FEMALE, MAY BE A CITIZEN, AND BY
THE WAY, MAY BE A NON CITIZEN
THAT HAS SERVED THIS COUNTRY BUT
FOR SOME REASON HAD TO GET OUT.
BUT THEY'RE A VETERAN.
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE FACE
OF THE VETERAN FIRST BEFORE THEY
BECOME A VETERAN SO FORGING
THOSE PARTNERSHIPS PRIOR TO,
DURING, WILL ESTABLISH MORE
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AFTERMATH.
3 YEARS, 10 YEARS, 15, 20, OR
WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT.
THAT'S WHERE I SIT ADDING ON TO
WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY SAID. ABSOLUTELY.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE].
DAWN, AS WAS MENTIONED YOU'VE
HIRED QUITE A FEW VETERANS.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT
YOU EXPLAIN TO US THAT YOU FIND
VERY USEFUL ABOUT THE KINDS OF
VETERANS THAT COME TO YOU
BECAUSE MOST EMPLOYERS WILL SAY,
WELL, WE MAY LOOK AT THEIR
RESUME AND SAY THEY'RE VERY LIMITED.
THEY JUST GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE.
MAY NOT HAVE HAD PRIOR EMPLOYMENT.
CAN YOU ELABORATE ON WHAT IT IS
YOU LOOK FOR?
>> SURE.
YEAH.
I MEAN I THINK THAT AGAIN IT
KIND OF GOES BACK TO THE FACT
THAT I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK
THAT ALL VETERANS -- WHILE
THEY'RE IN THE SERVICE AND
YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY AREN'T
PREPARING FOR A CAREER AFTER.
THE MILITARY IS YOUR CAREER.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO.
SO IT REALLY IS ON THE EMPLOYER
TO REACH OUT TO THESE FOLKS AND
BE ABLE TO SAY AM I JUST TAKING
A RESUME AT FACE VALUE?
OR AM I GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
AND I'M HONESTLY I'LL INTERVIEW ANY VETERAN.
DOESN'T MATTER.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR RESUME SAYS.
A LITTLE STORY, I HAD A
19-YEAR-OLD MARINE WHO RECENTLY
TRANSITIONED FROM THE SERVICE.
HE WALKED IN OUR OFFICE, HE HAD
A RESUME THAT HAD HIS NAME ON IT.
HE HAD HIS MILITARY AWARDS AND
HAD THAT HE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR
VETERANS PREFERENCE HIRE.
THAT'S ALL HE HAD.
SO OBVIOUSLY I SAID I WANT TO
INTERVIEW THIS I DON'T THINK MAN.
HE JUST -- YOUNG MAN.
HE HAD UNDERGO A YEAR OF
CHEMOTHERAPY, AND HE HAD INHALED
CHEMICALS OVER IN IRAQ, COME
DOWN WITH HOPKIN'S LYMPHOMA, CANCER.
HE WAS LOOKING FOR A JOB.
THIS MAN WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY
PROGRAMS THAT WERE OUT THERE.
HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING
THAT WAS GOING ON AND HE WALKED
INTO OUR OFFICE AND SAID, YOU
KNOW, I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU NEED.
OBVIOUSLY THAT'S THE ATTITUDE OF A VETERAN.
NOW THE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON ME
TO, ON THE EMPLOYER TO SAY HOW
CAN WE GET THIS YOUNG MAN TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS HE WANTS
TO DO, WHAT'S HIS PASSION, WHAT
HAS HE DONE, WHAT SKILLS DOES HE
HAVE THAT HE WANTS TO BUILD ON
AND HOW CAN WE PLUG HIM INTO
PROGRAMS THAT EXIST OR TRAIN HIM
IN MY COMPANY TO GET HIM INTO
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT WHERE HE HAS
THAT SENSE OF PURPOSE, HE HAS
OBVIOUSLY INCOME AND HE'S A
PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.
AND WHEN I ASKED WHAT HE WANTED
TO BE HE SAID I WANTED TO BE A MARINE.
I STILL AM, BUT I DON'T KNOW
WHAT I WANT TO DO.
SO THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE
THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH WHEN
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FACE OF A VETERAN.
IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE A
POLISHED RESUME, A PERFECT INTERVIEW.
IT'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY YOU
NEED TO WORK WITH, SOMEBODY YOU
NEED TO SIT DOWN AND SAY THESE
ARE SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES.
AND IF MY COMPANY IS NOT RIGHT
FIT WE'LL FIND SOMETHING THAT IS.
SO I THINK IT'S JUST REALLY,
AGAIN, SITTING DOWN, BUILDING
THAT RELATIONSHIP, HAVING
SOMEONE ON ONE TIME, GOING UP
AND BEYOND WHAT YOU MAY DO FOR
SOMETHING WHO HAS ALREADY GONE
THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT CYCLE.
>> I WOULD ADD, IF YOU HAVE,
ESPECIALLY IF THE COMPANY HAD A
LARGER OR EVEN A SMALL HUMAN
RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, THERE IS
ONE AREA RIGHT THERE THAT YOU
COULD HIRE A VETERAN TO ASSIST
IN HIRING OTHER VETERANS.
BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE LANGUAGE.
THEY CAN PULL OUT THE
INFORMATION AND MAYBE ASSIST IN
TRANSLATING THAT OR MAKING IT
FIT WHERE IT CAN WORK TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.
AND LIKE THE GOOD CAPTAIN SAID
HERE, MAYBE TO ANOTHER BUSINESS.
BUT IF YOU HIRE A VETERAN IN
YOUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
THEY CAN ASSIST YOU, ESPECIALLY
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE
WORLD OF THE MILITARY.
THAT'S ANOTHER WAY BUSINESSES
REQUEST REALLY START PULLING IN
VETERANS, HIRING ONE TO HELP YOU
IN YOUR HIRING PROCESS.
>> I WOULD ASK YOU, WHAT ADVISE
WOULD YOU GIVE TO A SOLDIER,
MAIL OR FEMALE -- MALE OR FEMALE
COMING HOME TRYING TO MAKE THEIR
WAY IN THIS ECONOMY WHERE IT'S
REALLY HARD TO FIND A JOB THESE DAYS.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS
OR ADVICE YOU GIVE?
>> THE FIRST THING, THE
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE SET UP TO ASSIST.
AND PUT ASIDE ALL PRIDE.
GO AND ASK THE QUESTIONS.
REACH OUT TO ANOTHER VETERAN
THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH
THE PROCESS.
BECAUSE IT'S USUALLY SOMEONE
THAT HAS BEEN THERE THAT CAN
HOLD YOUR HAND AND YES IT TAKES
A LOT FOR A MILITARY MEMBER TO
ASK FOR HELP.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO REACH OUT.
THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT
VETERAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS
THAT DO WANT TO HELP.
AGAIN, IF THAT VETERAN IS AFRAID
TO ASK FOR IT, BUT BEING THERE,
AND ASSISTING THEM, AND WALKING
THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS, BEING
AT ALL THOSE JOB FAIRS, ANY
OTHER ACTIVITY THAT VETERANS ARE
GOING TO BE THERE WHERE THEY CAN
BUILD THAT RAPPORT AND THAT
CREDIBILITY BECAUSE IT IS A
TRUST FACTOR THAT THERE NEEDS --
THEY'RE GOING TO ASK FOR THE
HELP TO HELP THEM WALK THROUGH
THE PROCESS.
THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT
REACHING OUT AND ASKING FOR THE
HELP FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN
THERE ALREADY THAT CAN GUIDE
THEM DOWN THE RIGHT PATH AND GO
TO THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE
DESIGNED TO HELP YOU.
>> NOW, IF THEY CAN'T -- IF THEY
DON'T KNOW OF ANY ORGANIZATIONS,
I GUESS THEY CAN GO ONLINE, TOO
AND CONTACT US, THE DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR, DOL.GOV.
>> AND IF THEY'RE [TALKING
SIMULTANEOUSLY] CALL RAY JEFFERSON.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> BECAUSE WHAT I FIND IN MY
TRAVELS NOW VISITING SOME OF OUR
VET CENTERS AND HOMELESS
CENTERS, IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE TO
ASK FOR HELP.
AND USUALLY IT'S TAKEN A COUPLE
OF YEARS BEFORE THEY GET ENOUGH
GUMPTION TO SAY I HAVE TO HELP MYSELF.
THEN THEY HAVE TO KIND OF
REINTEGRATE AND GO THROUGH A
PROCESS OF FIND WHOSE THEY ARE,
PUTTING THEMSELVES TOGETHER.
THAT MAY MEAN GOING THROUGH SOME
SPECIALIZED PROGRAM FOR
SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL, YOU
KNOW, SUPPORT THERE BECAUSE THEY
MAY HAVE SOME CHALLENGES.
AND JUST GETTING THEIR LIVES TOGETHER.
AND WHAT I FIND VERY INTERESTING
IS THE -- IS THE KIND OF FAMILY
SETTING THAT I FOUND IN MANY OF
THESE ORGANIZATIONS, WHETHER
IT'S A RESIDENTIAL PLACE THAT
ACTUALLY ALLOWS FOR VETERANS TO
STAY THERE OR IF IT'S JUST A
SERVICE CENTER AND HOW FRIENDLY
AND WILL PEOPLE ARE.
I THINK THAT FOR A LOT OF
RETURNING SOLDIERS, ESPECIALLY
THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE
AGE BRACKETS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 18
TO MAYBE 24, THEY FEEL SOME KIND
OF A BARRIER THERE.
THEY DON'T QUITE KNOW HOW TO GET
THROUGH THAT DOOR.
THEY MAY NOT WANT TO EVEN --
FEEL IS THAT THEY'RE WELCOME.
IT'S A DIFFERENT GENERATIONAL
GROUP OF FOLKS THAT ARE THERE.
HOW DO WE PUSH -- GET THEM TO
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS FOR THEM.
IT'S FOR ALL OF US.
FOR OUR FAMILIES?
>> AGAIN, IT'S WALKING THROUGH
THE DOOR AND REACHING FOR THEM.
IT IS A CULTURE.
THE MILITARY IS A CULTURE.
YES, YOU WORK AS A TEAM AND YOU
PUT ASIDE ANYTHING, ANY OF YOUR
INDIVIDUAL ISSUES, WHATEVER THEY
MAY BE.
BUT I WILL SAY THIS.
IT DOES DEPEND ON -- GENDER
PLAYS A LOT IN IT ALSO,
RETURNING FEMALE VETERAN WILL
TEND TO REACH OUT BEFORE A MALE,
TYPICALLY BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT SHE HAS TO PUT UP
WITH, NAMELY, CHILDREN.
AS I CALL THEM, CHOCOLATE CHIPS.
MAMA [INDISCERNIBLE] [SPANISH]
AND WE TEND TO ASK FOR HELP
QUICKER THAN THE MEN.
THIS IS JUST CULTURALLY HOW
WE'RE SET UP.
DEPENDING ON THE STATE THAT THE
VETERAN IS RETURNING TO.
IF IT'S A STATE -- I'LL SAY
NORTH CAROLINA, PARTICULARLY
FAYETTEVILLE, THAT IS A MILITARY
COMMUNITY.
SO THERE IS A LOT OF RESOURCES THERE.
IF THEY GO TO ANOTHER AREA AND
I'LL JUST SAY OMAHA, NEBRASKA,
AND I LIKE THE PLACE, DO I, NOT
OFFENDING ANYONE.
BUT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF
VETERANS IN THE CITY.
IF THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF
ORGANIZATIONS, THE REACHOUT IS
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR THOSE
ORGANIZATIONS TO REACH THOSE
AREAS WHERE THERE IS NOT A HEAVY
CONCENTRATION THAT ARE
WILLING -- OR THE DISTANCE TO GO
TO THE V.A. IS SO FAR,
150 MILES.
SO HAVING EVENTS THAT BRING
VETERANS OUT THAT WELCOME THEM
AND THEIR FAMILIES, YOU HAVE TO
REACH OUT AND SOME PEOPLE COULD
SAY, WELL, THEY'RE VETERANS,
THEY SHOULD COME TO US.
THAT VERY WELL MAY BE.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
THEY'VE COME WHEN THEY WERE CALLED.
THAT'S CALLED TO SERVE THIS COUNTRY.
WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO THEM.
I CANNOT SAY THAT ENOUGH.
A LOT OF THEM WON'T, ESPECIALLY
IF THEY'RE MALE, AND ESPECIALLY
IF WE'RE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE
IS LIMITED SUPPORT FOR THE VETERANS.
SO THAT'S MY TAKE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU, TOO,
IF YOU'VE WORKED WITH OUR
DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THROUGH THE
V.A. AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND HOW -- IF YOU CAN KIND OF
JUST ELABORATE ON HOW THAT MIGHT
HAVE HELPED YOU AS AN EMPLOYER,
BECAUSE MANY EMPLOYERS DON'T
KNOW THAT THESE SERVICES EXIST,
THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY HELP YOU
IDENTIFY EMPLOYEES.
>> SURE.
I THINK THE ONE PROGRAM THAT
REALLY STANDS OUT TO ME IS THE
AMERICA'S HEROES AT WORK PROGRAM.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE
THE PHYSICAL INJURIES OF WAR ARE
CERTAINLY OBVIOUS.
IT'S OBVIOUS I'M MISSING MY ARM.
BUT IS IT OBVIOUS IF I HAVE
PTSD, IF I HAVE A TRAUMATIC
BRAIN INJURY.
THOSE FOLKS DO NOT ALWAYS GET
SOMEBODY REACHING OUT TO THEM.
THEY DON'T LOOK WOUNDED.
THEY CALL IT THE INVISIBLE
WOUNDS OF THE WAR.
I THINK IT'S GREAT WE DO HAVE A
PROGRAM HERE THAT'S ACTUALLY,
YOU KNOW, REALLY REACHING OUT TO
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND
TRYING TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE
NEEDS OF THIS POPULATION, WHERE
TO FIND THIS POPULATION, HOW TO
EMPLOY THEM, HOW TO MAKE THEM
SUCCESSFUL.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT,
JUST THE IDEA OF EDUCATING
PEOPLE THAT THIS IS WHAT'S GOING
ON, THIS IS -- BUT THIS IS HOW
YOU CAN LEVERAGE THE TALENT AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
I'M REALLY FOND OF THAT PROGRAM.
AND THEN I THINK ALSO FOR ME
PERSONALLY, A LOT OF TIMES WHEN
WE NEED TO FILL A POSITION AS AN
EMPLOYER, WE WILL REACH OUT TO
SOME OF THE STATE
REPRESENTATIVES WHETHER IT BE
V.A. OR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,
FOLKS IN A VARIOUS STATE AND SAY
WHO DO YOU HAVE OUT THERE, WHO
HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING WITH,
WE'RE REALLY INTERESTS IN VETERANS.
WE USUALLY GET A GREAT RESPONSE.
SO JUST TRYING TO BE PLUGGED
INTO THOSE FOLKS RUNNING THOSE
PROGRAMS AND INTERACTING WITH
THE VETERANS ON THE GROUND.
>> I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO
ASK YOU TO HELP US REACH OUT TO
MORE BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS
BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT'S A WELL
KEPT SECRET.
THESE ARE SOME OF OUR BEST
EMPLOYEES, BECOME WELL
DISCIPLINED, HAVE SKILL SETS,
HAVE SOME VERY GREAT WORK
COMMITMENT THAT IS VERY VALUED
IN OUR SOCIETY AND SOMEHOW THAT
DOESN'T ALWAYS ARTICULATE OUT IN
TERMS OF A GOOD EMPLOYEE, BEING
ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT AND
HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL WOULD GO A LONG WAY.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK WITH US.
>> YES, MA'AM.
>> AND FINALLY, FOR BOTH OF YOU,
TELL US WHAT IT IS TO BE A
VETERAN.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
WHAT CAN YOU SHARE WITH US FOR
OUR -- FOR THOSE LISTENERS
WATCHING US?
>> I THOUGHT I WOULD BE PREPARED
TO ANSWER THIS, BUT IT'S A VERY
EMOTIONAL, I'LL SAY THAT, VERY
EMOTIONAL -- FOR ME AS A
VETERAN.
THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS THAT HAVE SERVED
BEFORE ME FOR THIS COUNTRY.
SOME HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES
BEFORE ME.
FRIENDS OF THIS CURRENT WAR ARE
FOREVER IN THE FRONT OF MY MIND.
AGAIN, THIS IS DIFFICULT TO ME.
TO BE CALLED A VETERAN IS THE
GREATEST TITLE OTHER THAN BEING
CALLED MOM.
IN SOME WAYS IT EVEN SUPER SEEDS THAT.
WHEN I JOINED THE ARMY I JOINED
FOR 3 REASONS.
AND I GOT TO FULFILL ALL OF THEM
FOR 25 YEARS.
AND I JOINED FOR ONE REASON BUT
I STAYED FOR THESE 3.
GOD, COUNTRY, AND FAMILY.
IN THAT ORDER.
AND I'LL SHARE WHY.
THOSE ARE THE ONLY 3 THINGS THAT
I'M WILLING TO DIE FOR.
GOD, BECAUSE IN THIS COUNTRY WE
HAVE THE RIGHT TO PRACTICE ANY
RELIGION THAT WE CHOOSE TO OR
NOT CHOOSE TO.
SERVING AS A SOLDIER PROTECTED
THAT RIGHT.
FOR MY COUNTRY, WE HAVE RIGHTS
THAT ARE NOT AFFORDED EVERYWHERE
AROUND THE WORLD.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE, THE RIGHT TO
BEAR ARMS, THE RIGHT TO FAIR
HOUSING, IF YOU MESS UP, THE
RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE].
FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND THIS IS
PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT TO
ME AS A MOM.
FOR OUR CHILDREN, THEY HAVE A
RIGHT TO EDUCATION.
I HAVE 3 ADOPTED DAUGHTERS.
WHEN I GO AROUND THE COUNTRY AND
I LOOK AT RIGHTS FOR WOMEN,
THEY'RE NOT THERE.
AND FOR MY DAUGHTERS, THEY CAN
BE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO.
THEY CAN HAVE ALL THE
OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED.
SERVING AS A SOLDIER IS THE ONLY
JOB IN THE WORLD TO ME THAT
PROTECTED ALL 3 THINGS THAT I'M
WILLING TO DIE FOR.
[APPLAUSE].
>> YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD.
>> I THINK IT'S REALLY HARD TO
DEFINE THE WORD VETERAN.
TRYING TO THINK ABOUT HOW I
PERSONALLY FIT INTO THIS LEGACY
IS SORT OF DIFFICULT, AND, YOU
KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE
WHEN YOU -- WHEN I GREW UP AS A
CHILD, YOU LOOK AT THOSE WHO
FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II, KOREAN
WAR, VIETNAM, IT'S -- I THINK OF
COURAGE, HEROISM, A LOT OF
DIFFERENT ADJECTIVES THAT I
WOULD NEVER APPLY TO MYSELF AND
NEVER THINK I COULD BE A PART OF
THAT OR -- AND YOU LEARN ABOUT
IT IN HISTORY BOOKS, YOU READ IT.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT UNTIL
YOU'RE A PART OF IT.
AND SO I THINK THAT FOR ME,
BEING A VETERAN IS JUST
REALLY -- IT'S EARNING SOMETHING
THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN EARN.
YOU CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL -- YOU
CAN BE A DOCTOR, YOU CAN'T GO TO
SCHOOL TO BE A VETERAN.
YOU HAVE TO BE COMMITTED TO
SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF,
YOU HAVE TO BE COMMITTED TO YOUR
COUNTRY, TO DEFENDING THAT, AND
THAT'S WHAT I THINK BEING A
VETERAN TO ME IS.
IT'S CERTAINLY ONE OF THE THINGS
I'M MOST PROUD OF IN MY LIFE.
THERE IS NOTHING ELSE I COULD DO
TO GET THAT TITLE.
I SERVED IN COMBAT, INJURED.
I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE
RECENTLY PASSED AWAY IN THE WARS
IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.
I THINK OF ALL THE FOLKS THAT
WERE SERVING BEFORE ME AND IT'S
JUST HUMBLING TO BE A PART OF
THAT COMMUNITY.
I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF THE
VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS I'VE
WORKED WITH, THEY HAVE EMBRACED
ME AND REALLY I'VE LEARNED FROM
THEM HOW TO BE A GOOD VETERAN.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO
CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD, NOT
JUST I AM A VETERAN BUT HOW AM I
MAKING THINGS BETTER FOR OTHER
VETERANS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND SO I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, I
GUESS I'M REALLY JUST PROUD AND
GRATEFUL TO BE A VETERAN.
>> PROUD OF BOTH OF YOU.
[APPLAUSE].
>> I WANT TO ADD ONE THING.
I TAKE THIS, I HAVE MY ARMY BAG,
I JUST STARTED CARRYING A PURSE.
BUT -- [INDISCERNIBLE]
>> YOU'LL SO -- THIS A VISUAL.
A CARRY MY BUDDY WITH ME.
I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU.
THIS IS MY 3-YEAR-OLD SAYS, THIS
IS MY LITTLE BUDDY.
IT DOESN'T HAVE A FACE ON IT.
AND I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH A
VISUAL FROM ME THAT THIS IS FOR
EVERY VETERAN THAT HAS SERVED
THAT HAS GONE FORWARD YET TO COME.
YOU MAY NOT THEIR FACE, WHO THEY
ARE, BUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO
PARTICULARLY IF IT'S FOR A
VETERAN, REMEMBER, YOU MAY NOT
KNOW THEIR FACE BUT THEY DO
COUNT AND THEY DO MATTER. THIS
IS MY BUDDY.
AND THINK ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU GO
ABOUT YOUR DAY TO DAY, THIS IS
WHAT THE DAY IS ALL ABOUT, THE
FACELESS VETERAN THAT HAS SERVED
BEFORE AND THOSE THAT ARE COMING.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU BOTH.
>> YOU HAVE MADE THIS SALUTE TO
VETERANS UNFORGETTABLE.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE].
>> WOW.
THIS IS REALLY NICE.
>> THIS IS FOR MICHELLE.
>> ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US
INTEGRATE OUR FIRST FOR US.
THANK YOU.
WEREN'T THEY GREAT?
[APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THERE IS VERY LITTLE ELSE TO
SAY.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT?
SO WE'RE COMING TO THE
CONCLUSION NOW.
ONE OF THE THINGS ALL THE
VETERANS IN THE ROOM KNOW IS
THAT YOU DON'T SUCCEED AS AN
INDIVIDUAL, YOU SUCCEED WHEN
THERE IS A TEAM.
IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE VET'S
TEAM HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR COULD YOU PLEASE STAND UP
FOR A MOMENT?
COULD WE GIVE THESE FOLKS SOME
APPRECIATION?
[APPLAUSE].
THESE FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE HERE
JUST RAISE YOUR HANDS.
THESE ARE MY REGIONAL
ADMINISTRATORS.
I HAVE 6 OF THEM.
[APPLAUSE].
>> JOHN, ARE YOU HERE?
ALL RIGHT.
THIS IS ONE OF MY 2 DEPUTIES.
[APPLAUSE].
MY SPECIAL ASSISTANCE.
[APPLAUSE].
>> AND FINALLY, YOU DON'T HAVE
AN EVENT OF THIS IMPORTANCE AND
MAGNITUDE UNLESS YOU HAVE ONE
PERSON WHO DRIVES IT, WHO TAKES
CARE OF ALL THE BIG THINGS, WHO
TAKES CARE OF ALL THE SMALL
THINGS.
JUNIOR, COME UP HERE, PLEASE.
THIS GUY --
[APPLAUSE].
NAVAL ACADEMY GRADUATE, UNITED
STATES MARINE, AND THE GUY WHO'S
BEEN WORKING BURNING THE MIDNIGHT OIL
FOR 2 WEEKS TO MAKE SURE THIS
PROGRAM WAS AS MEANINGFUL FOR
ALL OF YOU AS IT COULD BE.
THANK YOU, JUNIOR.
[APPLAUSE].
THIS IS GOING TO BRING TO A
CONCLUSION OUR 2009 SALUTE TO
VETERANS, SENATOR
AKAKA, THANK YOU.
DEPUTY SECRETARY GOULD,
DEPUTY SECRETARY HIGHTOWER,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, I WANT TO
INVITE YOU, WE HAVE A WONDERFUL
RECEPTION WITH FOOD IN THE GREAT
HALL RIGHT BEHIND ME, THE
VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
HAVE SET UP BOOTHS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.
THANKS FOR TAKING TIME FROM YOUR
SCHEDULES TO BE HERE.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY.
[APPLAUSE].