Do You Give Time to Fellow Veterans, or Give Lip Service?

Do you REALLY help fellow veterans, or simply give the expected lip service? You are about to be challenged.

OK – so one of my pet peeves is seeing everyone hopping on the “troops” bandwagon – either because they want to feel “cool”, or imply that their business really caters to the military and veterans (when their real objective is to make more money off the backs of those served and now serve).

The good news today is that members of the military and veteran communities are often referred to as heroes, and are typically given the respect they deserve by society in general.

What a contrast to the 1970s, when we were yelled at, spit upon and worse; it’s almost unfathomable today.

Everywhere you go, you see “Thank Our Troops” tribute signs hanging from shop windows, manufacturing facilities, on flags and “Support the Troops” bumper stickers. Corporations are getting in on the act by proclaiming: “we hire veterans”. Bull crap (can I say that?). They have ALWAYS hired veterans simply because veterans have been a part of US society since 1771, and they are part of the civilian employment pool.

And veteran non-profits are all over society’s love of the troops – and they are raking in tons of cash (just like retailers). But that’s another pet peeve.
I see more lip service than action.

The burning questions is: What are YOU doing to help your fellow veterans ?
Really – what tangible effort do you put forth to lend a helping hand – and I don’t mean sending off a few bucks to some veteran no-profit hoping that your money will be put to good use. That’s easy (and a cop-out).

I’m talking about quality, one-on-one time and energy that you put forth to create a tangible difference in some veteran’s life.

For my part, I donate my time and expertise as a mentor to veterans who are trying to start their own small business (because I know they can’t depend on corporations that say “we hire vets”).

I charge handsomely to review business plans and provide executive-level advice to non-veteran clients (or well-established veteran-owned companies making big profits).

But it’s the new veterans just embarking on building their American Dream who can least afford expert advise are the ones who need it most. If I can help another veteran create a financially secure future for their family, I know that THEY will pass it on in their later years.

So now – if you have a skill, or time, or connections, what are you doing to help veterans?

If you haven’t started, now’s the time.

WILL YOU MAKE A PLEDGE NOW?

Post it here as your reminder, and give yourself a deadline.

Some pledges may look like these:

- I’m a REAL ESTATE AGENT, and I’ll help a veteran family new to town find an apartment, I’ll help negotiate with the landlord, and I’ll help that veteran find a job before the end of the month – with NO commission expected.
- I ‘m a BODY SHOP MANAGER, and although I don’t need another employee, I’ll hire a veteran for one month just to give them a “resume item”, and start them on a path to a new employment career.

Of course, this assumes that you take action on FINDING the veteran. Maybe a new vet attending your church? Think about advertising your service to veterans in Craig’s List (post the real estate help in the Rentals Available section).

There it is – now Man-up / Woman-up.

No lip service accepted! You’re now free to post below.