The Home of the Brave

Our troops are returning home to stand in line with other American civilians looking for a job and soon, the number will increase when more come home from Afghanistan. So many of these troops who have laid their lives on the line are returning home to find only work at minimum wage.

Sadly, many have held positions in the military that cannot be found at home. One example is a combat medic with years of experience, who is not qualified in some states to simply drive an ambulance or EMT truck, which is simply shameful. According to some older veterans, today's military should be required to take advantage of the new GI bill, in order to convert their military training and experience to civilian life back home.

Every Thursday, the jobless estimates are released. Although our government releases those figures to the media with hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, thousands more of the unemployed will be added to the growing list when our troops come home.

The benefits of being single at this time weigh in significantly. Compared to men and women who are married with children, the new single veterans have more freedom and less responsibility, allowing them to take advantage of more opportunities in the work force. For the financially fortunate, they can attend or return to college, earn their degree and plan their future strategically.

If more business owners could open their doors to hire even one of our vets coming home, maybe it would be a start in the healing process. America has lost jobs and trillions of dollars because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now those who went there to support and defend the cause will be discharged, jobless and some will be homeless. Unfortunately, our U.S. Congress will look the other way and be only concerned with their own welfare and political agenda. Whenever the country needs them most, they go on vacation.

Who has the answers, who has the courage in the home of the brave to make a difference?