Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

PRESIDENT Barack Obama signed a new law aimed at helping military veterans find civilian work in the federal government.

Obama signed Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch.

The order will create a program to recruit and train veterans, aims to increase the employment of veterans within the Executive Branch, and helps recently hired veterans adjust to service in a civilian capacity, according to a White House statement.

"Honoring our sacred trust with America’s veterans means doing all we can to help them find work when they come home so they never feel as if the American Dream they fought to defend is out of reach for them and their families," said President Obama. "But this initiative is about more than repaying our debt for their courageous service and selfless sacrifice. It’s also about continuing to fill the ranks of federal employees with men and women who possess the skills, dedication, and sense of duty that Americans deserve from their public servants. And few embody those qualities like our nation’s veterans."

The Executive Order also creates an interagency Council on Veterans Employment that will advise the President and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management on the veterans’ employment initiative.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki will chair the Council. OPM Director John Berry will serve as the Vice Chair and Chief Operating Officer of the Council.

"Veterans have shown unmatched dedication to public service," said Secretary Shinseki. "They offer leadership and technical skills that are in high demand, whether in the public or private workforce. Not only does this initiative present an opportunity for Veterans to serve their Nation once again, the Nation will benefit from the education and training Veterans received in the Armed Forces. I am looking forward to working with Secretary Solis and Director Berry to achieve the objectives of this initiative across the federal government."

"Veterans are an important part of our nation’s past, present and future. They deserve our full support as they reintegrate into the civilian workforce," said Secretary Solis, "In signing this Executive Order, President Obama underscores his Administration’s commitment to our military men and women, and keeps us squarely on the path to achieving the goal of good jobs for everyone."

Solis added the veterans employment initiative would help the US federal agencies identify qualified veterans, clarify the hiring process for veterans seeking employment with the federal government, and help veterans adjust to civilian life once they are hired.

At the end of Fiscal Year 2008, there were approximately 480,000 veterans working within the federal government.

On Wednesday November 11, the nation will honor the brave men and women of the Armed Services with the observance of Veteran’s Day.

And it’s only fitting to honor the many brave Filipino men and women who currently serve and previously served the US Armed Forces.

There have been Filipino soldiers in every major US war since the start of World War I. According to historians, Private Tomas Claudio who served with the US Marine Corps as part of the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe.

The Thomas Claudio Memorial College in Eastern Rizal, Philippines, which was founded in 1950, was named in his honor.

Aside from honoring the current brave Filipino men and women, the Asian Journal would also like to honor those who’ve passed.

God bless them and we thank all of our veterans for continuing to defend our freedom, They are a great service to our country. (Joseph Pimentel/AJPress)

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published November 11, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p A1 )