Memorial Day is overwhelming. 

Today, we remember those who have died in service to our country.  They paid the ultimate sacrifice and they are heroic.

My husband, his brother, my father in law, my grandfather, many uncles and many cousins have volunteered for military service.  They were willing to offer their lives during wartime.  We are fortunate to have not lost them during their service. 

JetCo’s founder (and my husband) meets with potential USMA candidates to interview them and guide their application process.  Interest in service — and interest in attending the best college in the country — is very high.  He meets amazing young men and women, and maintains contact with many of them throughout their tenure at West Point.  They will see conflict when they come out.  They go to college knowing that they will go to war when they complete their education, and they are willing to serve.

Do we thank them enough when they come home?  Do we thank their families enough when they don’t? 

The federal government has established veteran entrepreneurship assistance programs for those returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  I married a veteran who is a natural entrepreneur and many of our clients are SDVOBs.  Based on our line of work, we pay a lot of attention to public agencies that provide preferences for veteran owned companies, and we’ve had success selling to them.  (I’ll save my justification for these purchasing preference programs for my next blog.)

What should we do to honor our veterans?  What should we do to remember those that didn’t return?