Some Discouraging News But We’re Not Discouraged.

Kind of like being smacked in the face with a 2 by 4! That’s how I feel this morning after learning our unemployment rate has jumped to 8.2% and jobs added were a paltry 69,000. Bad news for all Americans, especially discouraging for our Veterans who tragically have a much higher rate. It seems just when you think you are taking a step or two forward you realize that you actually going backward. The snowball effect is especially troublesome. American employers evaluate the trends and pull back rather than forge ahead. Fear fuels the trend and progress is stifled.
What are we to do?
Here at AWY we continue to do what our mission mandates, we take an optimistic view and continue to foster awareness of the critical need to get our Veterans back to work. For the last week we have been in production on a documentary series in the Southwestern Energy natural gas fields where two of our brave Veterans have begun to rebuild their lives with real jobs. Under the direction of Bronze Medal recipient Don Beck, we will chronicle the process of re-entry into civilian mainstream employment. We will show that our Vets are not alone out there and that there are opportunities and employers that want to make a difference.
AWY will continue to “call out” the corner offices to recognize the skills and dedication these heros and make jobs available. The only way to solve these problems is to move forward and become more productive.
AWY will turn over every rock and explore every possibility necessary to be part of the solution, we already know the problem!
More than ever, AWY needs the support of our Facebook and Twitter family to spread the message of encouragement.
I kind of wish there was less political rhetoric and more pro-active action. Can you imagine how much real progress could be made if the money spent on the campaign trails was directed a getting our brothers and sisters back to work. Something to think about!
AWY thanks you for your support and our brave soldiers, sailors, and Marines salute you for your commitment.
God bless you and God bless America.

John S. Pike