Veterans Day gives us a great opportunity to thank all of those who have honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces during times of war and also during times of peace. We appreciate what our Veterans have done for all of us in the service and also the ongoing difference they make everyday at home since leaving the service. It is “service” to the country that never ends and we’re better because of that and them.
However, it’s not only today that our veterans are deserving of this acknowledgement. Every day, veterans are making a difference in our country and around the world.
In order to showcase the exemplary talents and ideas of just some these deserving veterans, the Got Your 6 organization has once again put together its “Storytellers” presentation.
This year’s Got Your 6 Storytellers campaign showcases the exemplary talents and ideas of some of our country’s brightest and most groundbreaking military veterans and supporters. These stories are helping to change the narratives about those who have served in the military and help facilitate in bridging the civilian-military divide. We are excited to share the tales that these veterans have told of their continuing service as civilians.
Below are just some of the powerful Storytellers videos, and you can watch the rest of the videos as they are added at gotyour6.org/programs/storytellers-2015/ or at the Got Your 6 YouTube page. (Note: Videos might contain some language that may be offensive to some, but it’s in the speakers’ words and from their real-world experience.)
#IAm Campaign
In addition to its Storytellers campaign, Got Your 6 has launched the #IAm campaign to highlight veterans’ multi-dimensional attributes, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions in order to normalize perceptions of those who have served in the military. As the cultural narrative changes, Got Your 6 engages veterans and civilians together to foster understanding, and empower veterans to lead in their communities. Click here for more on the #IAm campaign.
OWC Veterans on Veterans Day
OWC employs many veterans across many departments. Some of these veterans spoke about what Veterans Day means to them. Here is what they had to say:
Quentin Johnson, Marketing; Army 2000-2015, currently in the reserves
“[Veterans Day] means remembering our lost brothers- and sisters-in-arms. A thank you to those who serve, have served and the families who support them.”
Mike McLeland, sales support administrator; Navy, Nuclear Power program 1977-1979.
“I had a peace time injury, and so I received an honorable/medical discharge. I was unable to complete the Nuclear Power training, which would have allowed me to serve on a nuclear powered sub. What I appreciate about Veterans Day is to be thankful for those who have served to protect our country and FREEDOM. One such person is my father, Bruce, who served in Korea with the Air Force. What I have gone through, with the injury and subsequent extensive and intensive therapy over the past 36 years, has allowed me the opportunity to see and encourage those veterans who have had their lives changed dramatically through various injuries and disabilities and are in our local VA facilities. I also appreciate and have seen the price which our veteran’s have paid to allow us to live in the FREEDOM which we enjoy every day. I would encourage everyone to invest the time to share a kind word personally with the veteran’s whom we come across while we are out in public as well as our family members who are veterans.”
Larry O’Connor, Logistical/Security Manager; U.S. Navy 1962-1965
“Every time I see a person in uniform I go out of my way to shake their hand and thank them for their service to our county. If they’re in a restaurant, I pay their bill and won’t take “NO” for an answer. If I see a person wearing something that identifies them as a past veteran, I shake their hand and thank them. Why? These past and present Service Personnel have enabled the citizens of the United States of America to live a quality of freedom that exists nowhere else in the world.”
Ryan O’Connor, VP of Supply Chain; USMC 1994-1998
“Service in our armed forces represents an answer to the call to be a part of America’s national and global community. America’s global leadership depends in large part on the dedicated efforts of all of those men and women who choose to serve, often at great risk to themselves. Most of these men and women go about their service then return home with little fanfare, rarely calling attention to their service or to the many risks they may have overcome along the way. Our veterans are all around us. We pass them on the street every day, sit across from them in the lunchroom at work, or may have them seated across the dinner table each evening. Veterans Day, to me, represents a unique opportunity to recognize those who would otherwise not choose to be recognized. An opportunity to reach out to those who have served and simply say ‘thank you.’
Thank you, for choosing to participate in America’s national and global community. Thank you, for bearing the risks our freedom demands. Thank you, simply, for your service.
I ask you to please share your words of thanks with those who have served, today.”
Victor Scimeca, IT Department; U.S. Army for 8 years
“The value of Veterans Day is recognizing the combined efforts of all service members, past and present, that have protected our loved ones from the reality of fear and oppression.”
OWC is a proud sponsor of Got Your 6
OWC is a Presenting Sponsor of “Got Your 6” which aims to create opportunities for veterans and civilians to join together to strengthen our communities. Got Your 6 does this by focusing on the six key pillars of veteran reintegration: jobs, education, health, housing, family, and leadership.
In order to further help this great cause, OWC has also made Got Your 6 pins available for only $6 with 100 percent of the proceeds from sales going directly to GotYour6.org!
