"Thank You" Is Never Enough

Tomorrow we will remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and share hope and freedom with others.  Memorial Day isn't just a time to visit the graves of the fallen or share the stories of our family members who have served; it's also a time to remember the living.



In 2011, Walmart helped to honor those who have lost their lives by being there for their families left behind; through a partnership with the Wreaths Across America Program, a wreath was placed on every grave at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY last year.  This is one of the ways that Walmart chooses to celebrate Memorial Day -- and it's something that I think is an important method of reaching out to the families of fallen soldiers.


This year, they are continuing to do even more for those who have fulfilled their service duties and are needing to find meaningful civilian employment that can support their families:
A new program, funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by Goodwill®, will empower military veterans with the tools they need to find employment, advance in their careers and ensure long-term financial stability for their families. The Walmart Foundation’s grant of $1 million will support the program, known as Operation: GoodJobs, at Goodwill agencies in the three key markets of Austin, Houston and Tacoma through 2013.  Operation: GoodJobs assists veterans with job training and placement, but also plans for each participant’s continued success by designing individualized, holistic plans that support the needs of their entire family and helps ensure economic security for participants and their families in the long-term. Each participant in Operation: GoodJobs will receive a complete career assessment and an individualized development plan that will include a range of family needs, from basic needs like nutrition, shelter and child care, to specific job training identified in the assessment process.
This year, I'm encouraging my kids to write letters to soldiers and learn more about our rich history so that they understand the decades of hard work and dedication the U.S. Military has provided through the years. When the tour of duty is over, military families still need our support.  In addition to some of the things that Walmart is doing to say "thank you", what are you doing in your community? 

 Have a Blessed Memorial Day.  And "Thank You" to those who have served, and continue to serve, for the good of our beautiful nation.

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.


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