National Hire a Veteran Day - Paying Tribute to Our Nation's Heroes

This article was previously posted by Mickey Markoff on LiveJournal.

July 25 marks National Hire a Veteran Day, a day designated to bring attention to the potential and value our veterans bring to the workforce and encourage companies to consider these dedicated individuals for open positions. At the heart of this national awareness day is the recognition of the incredible sacrifices our military veterans have made and continue to make. This sentiment of acknowledging, respecting, and supporting veterans is deeply intertwined with the mission of the Hyundai Air and Sea Show, executive produced by Mickey Markoff.

Mickey Markoff's commitment to paying tribute to our nation's heroes goes beyond the spectacular display of military prowess seen at the Air and Sea Show. The event partners with multiple veterans' organizations, including Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services and VeteransFL. These organizations provide crucial resources and opportunities for veterans, their families, and their communities.

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services has, since its inception, has worked to ensure that veterans and their families lead fulfilling and healthy lives. They provide resources and connections for housing, healthcare, education, and job placement. Dixon Center regularly engages in community outreach, and helps to educate veterans and civilians alike about the various initiatives available to our nation’s heroes. Their ‘Service Before Self’ podcast addresses current issues that impact veterans and their families, and helps support them in the communities where they live. Hyundai Air and Sea Show Executive Producer Mickey Markoff has spoken on the Dixon Center podcast about the importance of paying tribute to our nation’s heroes, and is passionate about engaging with the organization and raising awareness of their important mission. The podcast regularly highlights contemporary issues impacting the veteran community and provides resources for veterans and their families. The Air and Sea Show is dedicated to collaborating with organizations such as Dixon Center to help advance both our missions of helping to support the members of our armed forces and their families.

VeteransFL is another great organization which supports veterans in our community across the state of Florida. VeteransFL helps to connect veterans with employers who are looking to apply our veteran’s diverse skillset to the workforce. VeteransFL helps to provide career support, providing assistance to veterans on how to craft the perfect resume. The organization also provides support for job interview prep, and provides recruiting assistance. Employers also receive veteran recruiting assistance and apply for the organization’s Workforce Training Grant. The Air and Sea Show is proud to collaborate with VeteransFL in order to advance our mission of honoring our nation’s heroes.

In addition to the above resources, what sets VeteransFL apart is their focus on entrepreneurship. They provide entrepreneurial resources, including tools to help launch and operate a business, and ongoing mentorship for continuing success with their new business. These great initiatives help veterans further their contribution to the economic development of their communities. Since the beginning, Executive Producer Mickey Markoff has made the importance of paying tribute to our armed forces and first responders as a central tenet of the Air and Sea Show. Throughout the years, the show has had several sponsors, with the McDonald’s Air and Sea Show as one of the first in South Florida. For the last several years, however, Hyundai has illustrated their dedication to our nation’s heroes by sponsoring the show. They remain the current sponsor for the upcoming 2024 Hyundai Air and Sea Show.

The Hyundai Air and Sea Show's partnership with these organizations is a significant part of its mission. Not only does the event showcase the impressive capabilities of our armed forces, but it also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of our veterans. Freedom isn’t free, and our nation’s veterans are a testament to this.

If you are a veteran, or know and love one, we encourage you to learn more about the resources here to help support our nation’s heroes. Our veteran’s service doesn’t end when they leave their formal positions in the armed forces, but extends with their continuing contributions to the community.

National Hire a Veteran Day emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing the skills and experiences our veterans bring to our communities and workplaces. As we celebrate this day, we encourage businesses, big and small, to consider the wealth of talent, dedication, and resilience that veterans bring to the table. In the spirit of this day, let's continue to support and advocate for veterans, not just in employment but in all aspects of life. It's our collective responsibility to ensure that those who've served our nation receive the opportunities they deserve in return. After all, paying tribute to our heroes shouldn't be confined to a single day or event; it should be a part of our everyday lives. To all those who have sacrificed their freedom in pursuit of ours, we thank you-today and every day!