Local employers urged to shift plans for hiring veterans into high gear

By 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson

Wisconsin National Guard

With unemployment for Wisconsin National Guard members at twice the state average and about one-third higher than the national average, Wisconsin National Guard and Panther Racing Team officials emphasized the pressing need to turn the corner quickly to a group of local employers at an employment initiative June 16 at The Milwaukee Mile on the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds.

Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, explained that a Guard member's employment status has a directi mpact on his or her overall readiness and ability to serve.

"When the young men and women willing to serve this nation in a combat zone multiple times comes home to unemployment and can't provide for their families, we're going to lose that Soldier or Airman because they have to take care of their families," Dunbar said.

"That is why we asked you to join us today, to enlist you in this mission that's so important to us," said John Barnes, Panther Racing Team owner. "No matter what else is said up here, we're here for one reason and one reason only - to get these guys jobs and make sure their lives are up to the standards they deserve."

Spokespersons as varied as JR Hildebrand, National Guard car driver for Panther Racing, Wisconsin National Guard senior enlisted advisors Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper and Command Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO Dave McIntyre extolled the desirable qualities of veterans and National Guard members - practical experience, strong work ethic, leadership, education and professionalism.

"There's a very tangible quality they bring to the table that, frankly, from a self-interested perspective as an employer, makes a great difference," McIntyre told employers. "I've been employing thousands of folks who come out of uniform, and their families - there are no better employees that you can find."

Some of the representatives attending the employment initiative - Time Warner and Prudential among them - currently have their own initiatives to hire veterans whenever possible, and took the opportunity to network with like-minded companies. Others, such as Roland Lauterbach of Oberlin Filter Company, wanted to learn more about involvement with the National Guard.

Drew Dix, a Vietnam veteran who received the Medal of Honor as a staff sergeant and retired as a major, remarked that many Soldiers he served with were forgotten as they came home and melted into their communities.

"I think that's one of the reasons, personally, why I'm here," Dix said. "We can't just let that happen. The members of the National Guard are really performing well, right up there with the active duty military, doing frequent deployments. We've got to make sure the communities welcome them back and give them employment, give them an opportunity to work so when they're called again they can go back and serve us."

Dunbar told employers he was not seeking their charity, but their consideration.

"Some employers may not hire a veteran because of the chance of deployment," Dunbar acknowledged. "But if we have a citizen willing to fight for us overseas, and it's your employee, instead of running from that I would ask employers to embrace that. I believe it's the best thing you can do to hire a veteran."

Barnes noted that he has four National Guard members on his team, and one who copes with post-traumatic stress is an inspiration to the team.

"Today is the start of your race - the CEOs, the entrepreneurs and business owners here," Barnes said. "It's very easy to leave here motivated, to hear these great people and what they've done. It's another thing to go home to your community and make a difference. Each one of you has the opportunity to make a difference. If you hire just one Guard member or spouse, you've made a huge difference."