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Leadership Journal

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Honoring Our Veterans

President Obama signing the Executive Order establishing the Veterans Employment Initiative As we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans on this Veteran’s Day, I hope you’ll join me in honoring the tens of thousands of veterans who serve our country as members of Department of Homeland Security.

DHS’ civilian workforce includes approximately 47,000 veterans, comprising 25 percent of all employees—including Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute—in addition to the 42,000 active duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Every day, these men and women play a critical role in our nation’s security – guarding against terrorism, securing our borders, enforcing immigration laws, preparing for and responding to disasters, and strengthening our Department’s operations.

Monday, I joined President Obama as he signed an Executive Order establishing the Veterans Employment Initiative to increase employment opportunities in the federal government and help recently hired veterans succeed in their jobs.

Engaging veterans and veterans’ organizations at the Department continues to be one of my top priorities. We want and need veterans to lend their unique skills, experience, and clear commitment to service to our mission. That’s why we have set a goal to have 50,000 veterans on-board at the Department by 2012.

To help us achieve that goal, today we launched a new website specifically for veterans – www.dhs.gov/veterans. This one-stop-shop contains information about hiring and business opportunities for veterans, ways to get involved in community-based efforts like Citizen Corps, and special veteran programs such as Operation Warfighter and Wounded Warrior, which provide employment opportunities for severely wounded or recovering service members to assist their transition back to the military or civilian workforce.

We’re proud to have so many veterans at DHS contributing to our mission every day. On Veterans Day and every day throughout the year, let’s continue to give thanks to veterans, both inside and outside the Department, for all they've done to serve our country.

Janet Napolitano

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posted by Homeland Security Blog Team at 1:44 PM

54 Comments:

  • Veterans don't get enough credit for what they have done. A federal holiday for non-veterans doesn't make sense.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At November 18, 2009 8:58 PM  

  • It is time for veterans to get better treatment. There should be a veterans day, but only the veterans should get a paid holiday. The other people can serve in the military first if they want to get the holiday.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At November 19, 2009 9:04 AM  

  • I invite you to visit my blog:

    Preventing the next Fort Hood tragedy, by design
    By Mark Montgomery
    This recent tragedy at Fort Hood was only the latest in a series of crises that would likely have been prevented if the U.S. Government had adopted a logical holistic system design when I first began making the argument more than a decade ago. Since that time we’ve witnessed trillions of dollars and tens of thousands of lives lost; 9/11 and two wars, Katrina’s turf battles and incompatible communications, the mortgage bubble and global financial crisis, and now the Fort Hood massacre. The current trajectory of systems design and function isn’t sustainable.

    “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson

    While this particular tragedy is still under investigation, patterns are emerging that are very similar to previous crises, including 9/11. So let’s take a closer look at this event relative to what is currently possible with organizational design and state-of-the-art technology in order to better understand how to prevent the next crisis, for it will surely occur unless prevented by a logical holistic system design.....

    http://kyield.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/preventing-the-next-fort-hood-tragedy-by-design/

    By Blogger Mark Montgomery, At November 23, 2009 3:04 PM  

  • Where would this country be without our veterans and heroes.

    By Anonymous osha 10, At November 28, 2009 12:13 AM  

  • It's always good to see this gestures from a Government.

    I wished that Mexico's government learn something about Recognition and Honor from the US Gov.

    By Anonymous Emilio, At December 2, 2009 6:21 AM  

  • It's exciting to see this ongoing outreach and assistance for our Veterans.

    My brother is a Marine currently and I know the skills he learned there will be very marketable if/when he chooses to finish.

    It will be exciting to see the tools he uses and the jobs he gets through programs like this.

    By Anonymous James from Family Home Security, At December 3, 2009 3:06 PM  

  • Hey Janet, in relation to that Christmas bomber...

    You are do'in a heck of a job.

    now resign.

    By Blogger mrbill, At December 27, 2009 6:43 PM  

  • Janet, a family from my city, Wichita, KS is being held hostage by the Mexican government until they pay their medical bill. They had a bad wreck over christmas in Durango , Mexico.

    The hospital wont let them go until betting paid.

    Will we now be sending the bills for 15 million illegals health care.

    By Blogger mrbill, At December 27, 2009 6:46 PM  

  • Might be nice to take a look at some of the comments over at the TSA blog. You guys have some real PR issues right now.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At December 29, 2009 2:27 PM  

  • Vets, lots of unpleasant story about them, it's about the time the were trully honored...

    By Anonymous Jaz, At January 1, 2010 6:44 AM  

  • Yes, it's very important that the officials keep a strong postion of supporting our Veterans, because some people forget of the past, forget of the men, who never came back home from the fileds of war. We all have to honour and remember our Vets forever!

    By Anonymous John Anders, At January 2, 2010 2:18 PM  

  • It is time for veterans to get better treatment. There should be a veterans day, but only the veterans should get a paid holiday. The other people can serve in the military first if they want to get the holiday.

    By Anonymous Pompes à chaleur, At January 4, 2010 12:54 PM  

  • As the spouse of a veteran, everything we can do to honor and assist our vets is welcome.

    By Anonymous Jennifer, At January 5, 2010 5:21 PM  

  • Keep up the excellent work Janet. Being from a military family spanning the USA, UK and Canada, we have great respect for the veterans and always make a point of saying a well-deserved thank you to them whenever and wherever we may see them. They are sometimes surprised, but always happy to receive this small amount of recognition. It is the least we can do. We are indebted to them. Just wanted to let you know your work is much appreciated.

    By Anonymous George Williams, At January 5, 2010 5:33 PM  

  • I agree it doesn't really make sense to give a paid holiday to non veterans. Save the money non veterans are paid for this holiday and spend it on programs that will help veterans ~ like better health care!

    By Anonymous content creation, At January 6, 2010 1:48 PM  

  • In Australia Veterans are treat with considerable respect. There is a National holiday on Anzac day as a mark of that respect.

    By Anonymous Robert Somerville, At January 14, 2010 7:13 PM  

  • I am full of gratitude for the men and women who step up and go, often an great personal sacrifice, when our country calls. I may not agree with certain politicians or specific policies, but my feelings about those things do nothing to diminish the debt I feel to our active troops and our veterans.
    Thank you to all those who've served, and to their families for sacrificing sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and mothers and fathers to serve our country and sometimes not return. And to those serving now, I hope for your safe and speedy return.

    By Anonymous Clasamente, At January 15, 2010 12:33 PM  

  • Just a thank you for the website at www.dhs.gov/veterans. I will be certain to add it to my list of resources. Many come to me for solutions and knowing there is one more available will give hope.

    By Anonymous Business Success Guide, At January 21, 2010 3:13 PM  

  • May veterans always be taken care of by our society until they leave this earth. It's the very least we can do to repay these men and women for their collective and individual sacrifices.

    By Anonymous California Blogger, At January 26, 2010 6:12 AM  

  • Veterans should be treated as the heroes that they actually are. Anything else is unacceptable - these guys risk their lives for us....

    By Anonymous cheap auto insurance, At January 27, 2010 5:04 PM  

  • Honoring our veterans, is indeed a act of good will.

    By Anonymous Shower Bench, At February 2, 2010 5:32 PM  

  • Thanks so much for this very resourceful website. I have bookmarked it and will definitely let my friends and family know about this site. One love and God bless America

    By Anonymous help with foreclosure, At February 3, 2010 11:56 AM  

  • I agree, why should non veterans get a paid holiday?

    By Anonymous Lukas Stys, At February 4, 2010 10:44 AM  

  • It's seem that my country should learn from your government how to honor the veterans.Your one-stop-shop contains information about hiring and business opportunities for veterans it's very impressing.we are so far away behind from the idea.

    By Anonymous Sara Key, At February 5, 2010 10:41 AM  

  • I personally feel that vets don't get the special treatment they deserve. I am currently in process of re-enlisting so that I can make a difference, even if it's a small one.

    By Anonymous Miami Real Estate, At February 6, 2010 10:29 PM  

  • The Veteran's Employment Initiative sounds like an an excellent idea. As a service member, I understand the fear of the unknown when considering leaving the service. It appears this initiative will alleviate a lot of those concerns for those of us retiring, injured or otherwise. -CPT LaMountain

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At February 7, 2010 8:39 PM  

  • Veterans stories include a country. To forget them is a great sin. They have contributed to building the Democrats. Be honest properly by us.

    By Anonymous masini, At February 16, 2010 7:09 AM  

  • As said before..Not enough credit is given to war veterans...They are all heroes and should never be forgotten about.

    By Anonymous kevin mitchell, At February 16, 2010 3:35 PM  

  • I aggree!...Thousands of American men and women have lost their lives in the Global War on Terror since it began in 2001. For the loved ones

    By Anonymous Dominion Lending Centres, At February 16, 2010 8:01 PM  

  • I am not a veteran, but I did serve in the US Marine Corps in the early 80's long after the vietnam war and long before both conflicts in Iraq. I commend this administration for acknowledging our veterans who truly deserve more then what they have been given in the past.

    Joseph

    By Anonymous Joseph Mancia, At February 16, 2010 10:37 PM  

  • hero always be a hero...

    By Anonymous Movieonline, At February 19, 2010 2:51 AM  

  • Veterans deserve the utmost respect for what they have done in their lives - most of us can't say we've ever had to do anything like they've had to. And those of us who can most likely chose to do it, we can't forget that most veterans were forced to go to war.

    Australia has ANZAC day to honor our veterans, though to my knowledge we have no website dedicated to helping veterans out. I think it's a great initiative.

    By Anonymous Angus of Innovative Website Designs, At February 20, 2010 7:33 PM  

  • I would much rather that veterans, who have already proven their loyalty to their country, be given priority in employment over others who may not be so worthy of consideration.

    By Anonymous Transformational Leadership, At February 22, 2010 5:30 AM  

  • I personally feel that vets don't get the special treatment they deserve. I am currently in process of re-enlisting so that I can make a difference, even if it's a small one.

    By Anonymous รถมือสอง, At February 23, 2010 5:49 AM  

  • I am a veteran myself who lost comrades in wartime. There is absolutely no comparison to the honorable sacrafice of the lives and futures these heroes make. They deserve every laurel and their families every accomodation that can be provided.

    By Anonymous Diamond Engagement Rings, At February 23, 2010 8:35 PM  

  • Its good to hear veterans are honored in USA. In my country government dont give anything to veterans. So pity.

    By Anonymous solar energy facts, At February 28, 2010 12:25 AM  

  • Veterans is always be hero, I personally thought that they don't get enough credit for what they have done in the past

    By Anonymous Dean Windas, At March 3, 2010 2:12 AM  

  • Thanks so much for this very resourceful website. I have bookmarked it and will definitely let my friends and family know about this site. One love and God bless America

    By Anonymous thailand hotel, At March 5, 2010 2:17 AM  

  • As the spouse of a veteran, everything we can do to honor and assist our vets is welcome. they always be our hero

    By Anonymous Andrew, At March 9, 2010 11:48 AM  

  • Loved this post. I think the website at www.dhs.gov/veterans is wonderful. We can not do enough for the veterans. They are true heroes.

    By Anonymous Law of Attraction, At March 10, 2010 2:58 PM  

  • I thinks Veterans don't get enough credit for what they have done. A federal holiday for non-veterans doesn't make sense.

    By Anonymous Birkenstock Arizona Sandal, At March 14, 2010 12:53 AM  

  • What a helpful post really will be coming back to this time and time again.Thanks ..

    By Anonymous chat, At March 23, 2010 8:36 AM  

  • Veterans should be treated as the heroes that they actually are. Anything else is unacceptable - these guys risk their lives for us.

    By Anonymous Round Diamond Solitaire Ring, At March 23, 2010 10:49 AM  

  • Just a thank you for the website at www.dhs.gov/veterans. I will be certain to add it to my list of resources. Many come to me for solutions and knowing there is one more available will give hope.

    By Anonymous FindShoe, At March 23, 2010 11:46 AM  

  • I quite agree!
    Where would this country be without our veterans and heroes.

    By Anonymous รถมือสอง, At March 24, 2010 1:28 AM  

  • great info.. our country really need this

    By Anonymous refi, At March 24, 2010 5:47 AM  

  • The veterans who patriotism is deceive for an honor. We can live peacefully because of them.

    By Anonymous ติดแก๊ส, At March 28, 2010 12:47 PM  

  • This is a great post you have written. Having this information will prove to be very useful going forward. Thanks

    By Blogger Thyroid, At March 31, 2010 3:40 PM  

  • I personally feel that vets don't get the special treatment they deserve. I am currently in process of re-enlisting so that I can make a difference, even if it's a small one.

    By Anonymous เรียนภาษาอังกฤษ, At April 5, 2010 11:12 AM  

  • Definitely Veterans need more of the government support and better treatment, because they are our hero.

    By Anonymous เกมส์, At April 6, 2010 4:11 AM  

  • It's exciting to see this ongoing outreach and assistance for our Veterans.

    By Blogger Studio City Homes Realtor, At April 6, 2010 11:34 AM  

  • Thank and I really appreciate it that you shared with us such a informative post.

    By Anonymous Fashion Gold Jewelry, At April 8, 2010 9:35 AM  

  • This is great to know that the government are taking good care of their veterans, because those people have served their country and put their life on the line of duty.

    By Anonymous Cal, At April 9, 2010 12:41 PM  

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