This year, as every year, I wanted to take a moment to give my thanks and to show appreciation to our SMART Transportation Division members who are also veterans of the United State military. Our veterans are a source of patriotism and pride for what they have done and what they contribute to our organization. As a U.S. Army veteran, I hold a great affinity and an even greater respect for the commitment our veterans made to a higher cause while in the military and to the experiences they have had in their careers after serving (or continue to have if still serving). One of the key goals of my administration remains to give those members who are military veterans the recognition that they deserve for having answered the high call of defending the freedoms that we enjoy. We urge all of our SMART-TD military veterans to let us know the details of their military careers via the TD Member Info Update form so that we can continue to enhance our work to recognize and amplify the importance of veterans to our union. We also continue to periodically update our Veteran Services page with resources that may be beneficial to our American heroes. Each and every veteran deserves to feel a sense of appreciation on Veterans Day. On behalf of SMART Transportation Division, to all U.S. military veterans, we thank you once again for your service.
Fraternally,
Jeremy Ferguson President — Transportation Division U.S. Army, 1988-1991
Services, discounts and events
As an annual tradition, many businesses provide free services or discounts to veterans and there are a number of events nationwide honoring veterans. Please see the links below to some of those that are available this year.
Veterans Day marks the end of World War I — that fierce global conflict that cost millions of lives – and while the memory of that conflict fades further into history, the need for the heroism and sacrifice on the part of our military personnel endures more than a century later. Our military members uplift and shield us, and our veterans are a source of patriotism and pride for what they have done and what they contribute to our organization. They deserve our thanks and recognition as SMART-TD members and as American heroes. I myself am an U.S. Army veteran who served for three years during the Gulf War era. One of the key goals of my administration is to give those members who are military veterans the recognition that they deserve for answering the high call of serving our country and to defend the freedoms that we enjoy. To that end, we continue to urge those who served to let us know the details of their military careers on our website. We are working to highlight our continuing work to recognize and amplify the importance of veterans to our union in our organizing efforts. We also are moving quickly with special plans to pay tribute and highlight members’ military service and continue to update our Veteran Services page with resources that could help our American heroes. Each and every veteran deserves to feel a sense of appreciation today on this Veterans Day. On behalf of SMART-Transportation Division, to all U.S. military veterans, we thank you once again for your service.
Fraternally,
Jeremy Ferguson President — Transportation Division U.S. Army, 1988-1991
As we pause to recall the sacrifices that those who have served and their families have made to solidify and defend the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States, SMART-TD wanted to provide this list of services available to military veterans today and throughout the year. Those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces were placed in harm’s way in a commitment to a higher calling — that of our country. I am proud not only to serve the membership of SMART – Transportation Division who are among the ranks of U.S. military veterans as SMART-TD president but I am proud to stand with them as an Army veteran myself, having served for three years. The bonds formed in service of any kind to others are among the strongest of all. Collectively, working toward a common goal, those in our armed forces exemplify the epitome of strength, focus and sacrifice, shielding the United States and preserving our American way of life through the country’s 243 years of existence. The bond of military service has lifted the country to triumph in times of conflict, reshaped the course of world history and has shielded the constitutionally protected freedoms we all enjoy. Each and every veteran has had a role in the preservation of our country. Each and every veteran deserves to feel a sense of appreciation on this Veterans Day. On behalf of SMART-Transportation Division, to all U.S. military veterans, we thank you once again for your service.
Fraternally,
Jeremy Ferguson President — Transportation Division U.S. Army, 1988-1991
This online resource is designed to connect veterans, family members and friends and other supporters with information, resources and solutions to issues affecting the lives of veterans.
Mission 22
This nonprofit’s focus is to combat the veteran suicide rate through veteran treatment programs. It also organizes events and builds memorials while engaging people with an an ambassador volunteer program to create social impact and awareness for these issues.
Wounded Warrior Project
The program serves alumni — those men and women who have experienced a physical or mental injury while in service to the United States since Sept. 11, 2001. All services offered by the Wounded Warrior Project are free.
Hope for the Warriors
Hope for the Warriors provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.
Save A Warrior
Save A Warrior provides an alternative holistic services that equip veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders with a community of support and effective techniques to overcome symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress.
Give An Hour
This organization provides care for those who otherwise might not receive it by harnessing the skill, expertise and generosity of volunteer mental health professionals.
Union Veterans Council
Issues surrounding veterans and union employees are not independent of each other, this AFL-CIO affiliated organization says. It brings working-class veterans together to speak out on the issues such as the need for good jobs and a strong, fully funded and staffed VA.
Vets 4 Warriors
A 24/7 confidential peer support network — call 855-838-8255 — for veteran and military communities to provide peer support through confidential phone, chat, text, and email conversations to serve anyone who has ever worn the uniform, as well as the family members and the caregivers who love and support them.
Vet Roadmap
This guide is to help veterans return to civilian life and was created by the coordination of the George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative (MSI) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program.
Hire A Hero
Hire A Hero allows veterans to upload resumes and search for military-friendly jobs.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
“Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
“Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.” On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley,Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), designating him as chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee. In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman. The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Click here to find Veterans Day events. Click here for military discounts available on Veterans Day.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
“Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
“Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Click here to find Veterans Day events in your state.
Click here for military discounts available on Veterans Day.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The devastating news that Staff Sgt. Amy Seyboth Tirador, 29, daughter of UTU Local 95 (Rensselaer, N.Y.) member Gerard Seyboth, died in Iraq brings all too close to home the sacrifices being borne by brave American soldiers stationed around the globe to protect our nation and our way of life.
Amy brought brains along with bravery to battle. She was an Arabic-speaking interrogator on her second tour of duty in Iraq, and had been credited, during her first tour of duty in Iraq, where she served as a medic, with saving the life of a fellow soldier shot in battle.
Our hearts go out to Amy’s family and friends. There is scant solace in knowing one’s child and family member is a true American hero when grief is so overwhelmingly devastating.
As we celebrate this Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, we honor each brave American soldier who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of the liberties Americans so cherish.
Our nation was born in revolutionary war; and war, unfortunately, is a continuing price we pay to preserve liberties that, in the long history of humankind, are so scarce and are too often smothered by tyrants.
Within our UTU family, there is an innumerable caravan of brave soldiers who have given their lives in defense of our nation and our way of life, and their sacrifices are rightfully recognized on monuments and plaques across America.
Scores of UTU members, their children and spouses are currently serving on active duty, or recently returned from active duty. More than 100 current UTU members are on active duty.
During 2010, we will be recognizing many of those soldiers on the pages of the UTU News. If you have a family member who has recently served, or is serving, in the armed forces, please forward that information to our public relations department, along with a photo of that soldier in uniform.
The profession of arms too often is a thankless one. So please, on this Veteran’s Day, join me in taking a moment of silence to honor their faithful service and sacrifice.
And when you see a soldier in uniform, as we so often do, consider offering them a warm smile and a heartfelt, ‘thank you.’
God bless them all, and God bless the United States of America.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”