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Four Mexico businesses that work with or have hired veterans in the past year under the Show-Me Heroes program were presented last week with Gov. Jay Nixon's Flag of Freedom award.
The Show-Me Heroes initiative, announced by the governor in January 2010, helps connect military veterans with job opportunities when they return home from active service. Administered by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Show-Me Heroes program showcases Missouri businesses that are willing and eager to hire veterans. To date, more than 1,700 Missouri employers have taken the Show-Me Heroes pledge and nearly 1,000 veterans have been hired.
"Our veterans serve our country, and do a lot of things that other people are not willing to do. They give up their liberty when in the military, follow orders, and are under strict instruction, with no questions asked. We as civilians don't have to do that," said Brown, a veterans' representative with the Department of Economic Development. "I think it's great the companies are taking the initiative to honor veterans coming back; you couldn't ask for more. The businesses are not just talking the talk, they are walking the walk. The award shows our appreciation that they are doing what they pledged to do."
The Mexico businesses recognized were:
• United Credit Union, for hiring two veterans. Janis Rowe accepted the award.
• Ameristaff hired two veterans. Lisa Lierheimer accepted the award.
• Missouri Staffing has hired one person. Anne Barnes accepted the award.
• Mexico Plastics has hired one person. Laura Frazer accepted the award.
The Dollar General, Fulton Distribution Center and the city of Fulton, were also awarded for their veteran employees, 11 and two respectively.
The award itself is a plaque of an American flag patch from the combat uniform of a member of the Missouri National Guard worn while that citizen-soldier or airman was deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Gov. Nixon said one of the key elements of Missouri Works – the larger economic and careers initiative he recently announced – was the continuing effort to help more Missouri military veterans find jobs. This effort will expand the mission of Show-Me Heroes to provide on-the-job training opportunities for veterans who recently left the service, including National Guard and reserve and active-duty personnel.
Employers who wish to participate in Show-Me Heroes can visit the state's website, MO.gov, to register and take the pledge. Once a company has done so, it is listed prominently in an online database that highlights veteran-friendly employers across Missouri. Employers receive a special certificate, signed by the governor, and a decal to display at their location.
Beyond the employer directory, the Show-Me Heroes website also includes resources for job-seeking veterans, including links to employment openings in state government and a link to Missouri Career Source, a statewide one-stop-shop for Missourians looking for work. Show-Me Heroes is one of several measures the state has taken under Gov. Nixon to encourage veterans to live, work and retire in Missouri. In 2009, for example, the governor signed legislation gradually phasing out the state tax on military retirement income. Under the new law, by 2016, military veterans will not pay any state taxes on military pensions.
"Show Me Heroes is a great way to recognize the sacrifices made by our service men and women, while helping them transition back to civilian life when they return home," Nixon said in a recent media release. "I encourage more employers to join the ranks of those who have hired a veteran through the Show-Me Heroes program."
Four Mexico businesses that work with or have hired veterans in the past year under the Show-Me Heroes program were presented last week with Gov. Jay Nixon's Flag of Freedom award.
The Show-Me Heroes initiative, announced by the governor in January 2010, helps connect military veterans with job opportunities when they return home from active service. Administered by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Show-Me Heroes program showcases Missouri businesses that are willing and eager to hire veterans. To date, more than 1,700 Missouri employers have taken the Show-Me Heroes pledge and nearly 1,000 veterans have been hired.
"Our veterans serve our country, and do a lot of things that other people are not willing to do. They give up their liberty when in the military, follow orders, and are under strict instruction, with no questions asked. We as civilians don't have to do that," said Brown, a veterans' representative with the Department of Economic Development. "I think it's great the companies are taking the initiative to honor veterans coming back; you couldn't ask for more. The businesses are not just talking the talk, they are walking the walk. The award shows our appreciation that they are doing what they pledged to do."
The Mexico businesses recognized were:
• United Credit Union, for hiring two veterans. Janis Rowe accepted the award.
• Ameristaff hired two veterans. Lisa Lierheimer accepted the award.
• Missouri Staffing has hired one person. Anne Barnes accepted the award.
• Mexico Plastics has hired one person. Laura Frazer accepted the award.
The Dollar General, Fulton Distribution Center and the city of Fulton, were also awarded for their veteran employees, 11 and two respectively.
The award itself is a plaque of an American flag patch from the combat uniform of a member of the Missouri National Guard worn while that citizen-soldier or airman was deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Gov. Nixon said one of the key elements of Missouri Works – the larger economic and careers initiative he recently announced – was the continuing effort to help more Missouri military veterans find jobs. This effort will expand the mission of Show-Me Heroes to provide on-the-job training opportunities for veterans who recently left the service, including National Guard and reserve and active-duty personnel.
Employers who wish to participate in Show-Me Heroes can visit the state's website, MO.gov, to register and take the pledge. Once a company has done so, it is listed prominently in an online database that highlights veteran-friendly employers across Missouri. Employers receive a special certificate, signed by the governor, and a decal to display at their location.
Beyond the employer directory, the Show-Me Heroes website also includes resources for job-seeking veterans, including links to employment openings in state government and a link to Missouri Career Source, a statewide one-stop-shop for Missourians looking for work. Show-Me Heroes is one of several measures the state has taken under Gov. Nixon to encourage veterans to live, work and retire in Missouri. In 2009, for example, the governor signed legislation gradually phasing out the state tax on military retirement income. Under the new law, by 2016, military veterans will not pay any state taxes on military pensions.
"Show Me Heroes is a great way to recognize the sacrifices made by our service men and women, while helping them transition back to civilian life when they return home," Nixon said in a recent media release. "I encourage more employers to join the ranks of those who have hired a veteran through the Show-Me Heroes program."
