For Immediate Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ill./EWORLDWIRE/Nov. 11, 2011 --- The following statement is issued by the American Legion Department of Illinois (http://www.illegion.org) Commander Dave Hicks on the occasion of Veterans Day 2011:

As we honor the extraordinary heroes who have served our country since its founding, we are pleased to share the news that the U.S. Senate has passed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. By taking this action, the federal government has provided real incentive for businesses to hire veterans and cleared the way for our veterans to access necessary training and education, to become better equipped to take advantage of a greater number of employment opportunities.

Through nearly a century, the men and women of the American Legion have volunteered to serve veterans and their families, and it is through our advocacy that the personal sacrifice of our U.S. service men and women is not forgotten. The American Legion continues to answer the call to champion the rights of today’s warriors and help mobilize community resources - we are glad to see our efforts on this key piece of legislation come to fruition.

We recognize that our military families face seemingly insurmountable obstacles and are particularly challenged in finding jobs, with about one in twelve veterans unable to secure a job despite Department of Labor numbers that suggest there are more than three million job openings.

The Illinois American Legion has taken a proactive approach to address this critical issue. Recently, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, we have been able to collaborate in supporting veterans with a series of job fairs throughout Illinois. Initial analysis indicates that as a result of these events, nearly a third have found a job.

Adopting VOW moves us even closer to connecting our nation’s warriors with meaningful work.

Each member of our American Legion community is committed to our activities and many programs such as the Family Support Network and Operation Comfort Warriors, temporary financial assistance and the National Emergency Fund.

On Veterans Day, a special day set aside to express our gratitude to those who secure our country and the liberties we enjoy, we join in celebrating the goals we reach on their behalf and renew our commitment to advancing initiatives that our nation's heroes deserve.

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CONTACT:
Mark Sides
American Legion
Department of Illinois
Headquarters PO Box 2910
Bloomington, IL 61701
PHONE. 309-721-3886
http://www.illegion.org

SOURCE: American Legion Department of Illinois