Today, less than one-half of 1 percent of this nation is serving in uniform. We have come a long way from the Vietnam era when we foolishly punished troops as a proxy for a war many did not support. Today most Americans support the troops despite what they personally feel about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, with such a small percentage of the population serving, many Americans have no contact with military members or their families. While they want to be supportive, many don’t understand what they can do to help.
Netroots for the Troops is a great way for everyday Americans to make a difference and do our small part to contribute to the effort to serve the men and women who serve us on a daily basis.
lt's my personal opinion that all of us should serve our nation in some way. For those who want to give back to our troops, there are so many things we can do. It starts with President Obama who has given the Department of Veterans Affairs the largest budget increase in 30 years and continues to make sure that America keeps her covenant with her military men and women.
In the business community, employers have the opportunity to hire Veterans--not just because they want to help members of the military but because these men and women make the very best and most dedicated employees. Veterans have already demonstrated the ability to perform under the most extreme of pressures. Here in IL, I’m proud to have been part of first-in-the-nation legislation that provides tax credits to employers who hire Vets.
In our community, we can also find ways to make a difference. We must support military families, especially those whose loved ones are deployed. Organizations like Netroots for the Troops help us pool our resources to support our military men and women. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to their efforts.
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