Veterans Day: Honoring Those Who Served

On November 11, many Americans have a day off work and school for Veterans Day. CareerSafe wants to help spread the word on why it's important not to think of Veterans Day as "just another day off".

What's in a name?

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918, an armistice—or temporary cessation of hostilities—was declared between Allied forces and Germany in World War I. One year later, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the commemoration of Armistice Day. Armistice Day became a legal federal holiday "dedicated to the cause of world peace" in the United States in 1938.

On June 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signed HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. According to data from the Department of Veteran Affairs, that means we'll be honoring approximately 19 million living United States military veterans this year.

Veterans Day Facts

• Veterans Day is not the same as Memorial Day. Memorial Day, observed in the United States on the last Monday of May, is a time to remember those who have given their lives for our country. Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors all those who have served the country, whether living or dead—although it is largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices and service.
• There's no apostrophe in Veterans Day—and that's intentional. To grammar buffs, it may seem as if the day should be "Veterans' Day"—a day belonging to all veterans—but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has clarified that Veterans Day is not a day belonging to veterans, but rather a day for honoring veterans. Grammar geeks: check out this Reader's Digest article for more about why Veterans Day doesn't have an apostrophe!
• Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual commemorative ceremony. At 11 a.m. every year on November 11 (the time the World War I armistice was signed), guards at Arlington National Cemetery lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and veterans' organizations hold a parade of colors.
• November 11 is commemorated in many countries. Because November 11, 1918 was the end of a World War, the United States isn't alone in recognizing its significance. Canada, Australia, France, and Belgium call it Remembrance Day. In the UK, Remembrance Sunday is observed on the second Sunday in November.

Veterans and CareerSafe

Veterans Day is especially important at CareerSafe, a subsidiary of K2Share and Veteran-Owned Small Business founded by Larry Teverbaugh. Larry is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Our company also employs a number of veterans who bring unique skillsets as a result of their service. Below, read about our founder and two of our K2Share veterans and how they are using their skills to help K2Share and CareerSafe make a national impact. 

Larry Teverbaugh: Founder, President & CEO, K2Share, LLC; Founder & CEO, CareerSafe, LLC

Unites States Air Force — 4 Years

Larry entered the Air Force as an officer from the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. His service included work at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory in New Mexico, where he ran the division responsible for conducting electromagnetic pulse (EMP) tests on major Department of Defense weapon systems.

"I have been blessed to have worked throughout my adult life to serve my country in the US Air Force, Westinghouse Defense, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, and now at K2Share and CareerSafe. In each of these endeavors, I was able to advance the goals and objectives of the organizations that I served to make a daily difference in the lives of those who counted on our products and services."

Michael Horrigan: Senior Technical Project Manager, K2Share Federal Cyber

United States Air Force

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency — 8 Years

Stationed in RAF Chicksands, England; Misawa Air Base, Japan; and Kelly Field, Texas.

Much of Michael's military work is classified, so we could tell you some stories but…well, you know.

"I loved my time in the Air Force, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't use a part of what I learned in the service." 

Tanya Bertram: Human Resource Generalist, K2Share

United States Army, Logistics — 6 Years

United States Air Force, Military Police — 4 Years

Tanya began her journey with the military immediately after graduating high school. Her first duty station was in Virginia, where she met her husband of 16 years—also a member of the United States Armed Forces. They spent most of their early military careers on east coast military bases but moved to Texas in 2010.

Tanya is passionate about bringing awareness to spouses of military service members, who are sometimes forgotten but also serve in a very important way. She was the Family Readiness Group leader for her husband's unit while they were on a 15-month deployment and saw firsthand the effect deployments have on families.

As a member of the K2Share Human Resource team, Tanya works to help veterans, along with their unique and diverse experiences and skillsets, find a new career home with K2Share.

"Being a dual military family has made me wise as a service member and military spouse. The deployments are long and challenging at times, but it makes the times together all the more precious. Together, my husband and I have over 31 years of military experience with a combination of Air Force, Army, and National Guard. We salute all military service members and especially their spouses, whose support is equally admirable."

This Veterans Day, K2Share salutes all who have served. Wondering what you can do to honor veterans? Military.com suggests 8 Ways to Express Appreciation on Veterans Day.