CONCORD, NH ― On July 25, New Hampshire and the nation recognized National Hire A Veteran Day as a moment to promote meaningful civilian employment for transitioning service members and Veterans after their military service. By proclamation, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte formally declared July 25 to be “Hire A Veteran Day” in the Granite State as a call to action for N.H. employers, large and small, to consider the skills, leadership and dedication that Veterans bring to the workplace and work to ensure no service member or Veteran faces unemployment or underemployment upon returning home.
“I am so grateful for our brave service men and women and the sacrifices they have made to defend our great nation,” Governor Kelly Ayotte said. “On National Hire A Veteran Day, I urge businesses large and small to join us in creating opportunities for these Service Members and their families to thrive in our state. Together, we can ensure New Hampshire is the most Veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
Leading up to Hire A Veteran Day, on July 23rd, N.H. Employment Security and the N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS) together hosted the second annual Veteran Job & Resource Fair at the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, bringing together nearly 40 local employers, 11 resource providers, dozens of jobseekers, and many members of the N.H. Veteran-Friendly Business Network. The event was a resounding success, with record participation and engagement from jobseekers, resource providers, and employers, including Dartmouth Health, the largest private employer in New Hampshire and SIG SAUER, a New Hampshire based, global leader among fire arms manufacturers.
“One of Dartmouth Health’s priorities is creating a welcoming environment across the communities we serve, and Veterans are a big part of that,” shared Alan Kordzkowski, Talent Acquisition Specialist – Nursing and Military/Veteran Recruitment with Dartmouth Health and a fellow Veteran. “Dartmouth Health works to create a positive environment for recruiting and retaining Veterans, and foundational to that is our Military Employee Resource Group. The Military ERG is committed to developing connections with the broader military and Veteran communities and improving Dartmouth Health’s understanding of the unique experiences of Veterans and the skill sets they bring to the workplace.”
“SIG SAUER was honored to attend the Hire A Veteran event for the second time,” SIG SAUER said. “This year’s turnout was greater than the previous! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with so many talented Veterans and active military professionals. This is certainly an event we will plan to attend next year.”
Each year, approximately 200,000 individuals transition out of military service and return to civilian life and employment. Many of those individuals decide to “Live Free and Choose New Hampshire,” coming to the Granite State for a variety of reasons. Some may be returning to their roots, following family or pursuing life opportunities, while others are attracted by New Hampshire’s reputation for quality of life, high economic opportunity and robust support system for Veterans and military families (learn more).
“All of the staff at New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) are committed to helping the Veteran community and today’s successful event offered a wonderful opportunity to do just that,” said N.H. Employment Security Director of Operations Sarah Morrissey. “At New Hampshire Employment Security, we recognize that Veterans and their families bring exceptional skills, leadership and dedication to our workforce and our N.H. business community. This event helped businesses and Veterans connect, but it also allowed all of those involved in the event to honor their service and help them to build meaningful careers that contribute to New Hampshire’s economic strength.”
Today, more than 85,700 Veterans, 1,100 active-duty Service Members, and 5,700 National Guard and Reserve members call New Hampshire home. As employees, Veterans bring work experience and valuable technical and nontechnical skills that are often in high demand, such as leadership, decision making, dependability and attention to detail.
“We put Veterans at the center of all we do,” shared Shannan Brown, Peer Specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Manchester Healthcare System, who supported the event as a Veteran resource. “Connecting Veterans with the VA has positive outcomes across so many fronts—from supporting transitioning service members into the VA for benefits they earned and deserve, to helping with health care and employment resources. We are here for Veterans every step of the way.”
To read Governor Ayotte’s proclamation, visit https://www.governor.nh.gov/news/proclamations.
To learn more about joining the NH Veteran-Friendly Business Network, visit https://www.dmavs.nh.gov/about-us/nh-veteran-friendly-businesses.
About N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services
The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services was established legislatively in New Hampshire in 2019. The Department is led by Major General David Mikolaities, the N.H. Adjutant General, and Nicole Desilets-Bixler, Deputy Adjutant General. The N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services consolidates Veterans services from across the state, including the Division of Veterans Services, the Division of Community-Based Military Programs, and the State Veterans Cemetery. The N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services shares a mission triad with the N.H. National Guard—fight and win our nation’s wars, secure the homeland, and build enduring partnerships. To learn more about the N.H. Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, visit https://www.dmavs.nh.gov/.