Sara was living in her car in the parking lot of a local grocery store -- certainly not the place that this military veteran thought she would find herself after returning from two tours in Iraq. Unfortunately, hers is a story that unfolds for some women veterans.
If you met Sara today, you would scarcely believe that just four months ago her car was her home and that she was wondering where she would get her next meal. What happened during those four months was that Sara experienced outreach from a fellow veteran and found meaningful work.Those of us at Grace After Fire who interact daily with veterans quickly discover a powerful truth: Work makes them well. After years of constant deployments and relocation, most veterans want work that sustains a family and is in a place where they can put down roots. Our veterans are smart, brave, tenacious and experienced men and women, and they don't want or need a handout. "Let me earn my way," or "I can do it myself" are common refrains.Although most veterans are disciplined, loyal and hardworking, there is an alarming gap between the employment rates of veterans and civilians. One in 3 veterans between 18 and 24 was out of work last month, compared with only 1 in 6 of their civilian counterparts. And the gap is even larger for our women veterans, 22 percent of whom are unemployed, compared with 7.8 percent of civilian women.These statistics are curious since veterans are often more experienced and better-educated: Their skills literally have been battle-trained and -tested, and over 70 percent have been to college.Texans are returning after years of combat; the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are winding down. Our state is at a pivotal moment in terms of how we treat our veterans. While there is widespread support, the path veterans face when they come home is a challenging one. Like many of our veterans, the civilian economy is trying to find sure footing.Of the 2.2 million Americans who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, nearly 300,000 are women -- young women, since 6 in 10 of them are under 30. Given that Texas has the second-largest population of female veterans, that means that more than 5,000 of the 25,000 women veterans in North Texas are looking for work.So what accounts for this unemployment rate? Could it be that the news media report only on the heartbreak that is war? Are we missing an opportunity? It seems that these young men and women who come home from war must now battle the perception that all military personnel are suffering from physical or emotional trauma.Yes, war changes you. Yes, war is a violent affair that brings out the worst of humanity. And yes, it is important to report on the terrible price some pay in defense of our nation. Some veterans do need help and time readjusting from the battlefield experience, and we have learned much from the preceding generations of veterans. Today, in the Fort Worth area, some 326 organizations are working with veterans.But war also can bring out the best of humanity. Today only 1 percent of young Americans choose to defend this country. We believe that it's the responsibility of the remaining 99 percent of Americans to do everything in our power to help these warriors.Here is our opportunity to do something.First, celebrate Women Veterans Month this March. The Texas Legislature is only the fourth in the nation to make such a declaration, although others appear likely to follow our lead. Second, simply say thanks to a veteran in your family, at your workplace or in your community. Then, if you'd like to support our troops, please consider helping a local veterans organization.Finally and most important, if you can, hire a veteran. We know that for most of our brave young veterans, perhaps more than anything else, warriors will work themselves well. Give them that chance today.Retired Air Force Col. Kimberly Olson is president and CEO of Fort Worth-based Grace After Fire. www.graceafterfire.orgHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
