Veterans working on Veteran's Day

PFC Eric Minchey — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 21:45:39 -0500

I am a proud US Army Vet. I Just got my work schedule for the up coming week, My employer has scheduled me to work a shift on Veteran's Day. Personally I feel that this is and should be a NO-GO what does everyone else think?

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Nov 6 at 2013 8:41 AM

PFC Eric Minchey — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:41:00 -0500

I'm gonna embrace the suck & go to work just saying it still sucks is all.

Response by MAJ Joseph Parker made Nov 6 at 2013 9:54 AM

MAJ Joseph Parker — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 09:54:49 -0500

Yes, you are a Vet and justifiably proud. You should have the day off. You are also an employee and need to show the Army discipline that the employer hired you for! Here is a suggestion: Get yourself a US Army veteran pin and wear it when you work on Monday. Hopefully you got a veteran pin when you left the service. If not, try to find one or drop by an Army recruiters office to see what kind of Army pin they can give you to wear. You are still young, brother veteran. There are many more Veterans Days to come, and as long as you work for somebody, they are going to count on your discipline as an employee. Might want to wear an American flag pin under that Army pin, too. If you work in proximity to customers, they will notice the pins and thank you for your service. If not, everybody here at RP is proud that you are a Veteran!

Response by Cpl Jeremy Lipker made Nov 6 at 2013 4:14 PM

Cpl Jeremy Lipker — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:14:28 -0500

Without getting too political, these "holiday's" are more for working American's to have an excuse to have a day off. I'd say that it is safety say that 80% of the people that you run into don't give two ****'s about the holidays and what the point is behind them. "Thanking" a veteran for their service is merely a pat on their own back to make themselves feel better about not serving, whatever their reasoning may be. Nobody wants to openly be "that guy" that says that they don't care about veteran's day. Even after 10+ years of war, you'd be amazed as to how many people couldn't even place Iraq or Afghanistan on a map. Go to work, do your tasks in the manner that a properly trained and disciplined individual that you are should and would.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2013 8:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:26:23 -0500

You should work we work on deployments and there are units that are in the field on veteran's day. remember you may wait on some old vet that you can respect for there service and not just think about what you deserve.

Response by SGT Christopher Highe made Nov 6 at 2013 8:48 PM

SGT Christopher Highe — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:48:16 -0500

While Veteran's Day is a day for us Veterans, we still hold an obligation to perform the tasks given to us by our employers. Wear a Veteran's pin or something similar while at work, and make sure to thank our predecessors when and where you see them. Be thankful that you are working, for there are far too many of our brethren who don't even have employment that could have scheduled them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 11:18 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:18:51 -0500

I'm in Afghanistan at the moment and all the veterans here worked Memorial Day, so at least you are in good company. But seriously, you are an employers of Ryan's. They are in business to make money. Memorial day is a busy day for restaurants. As their employee, your job is to work the schedule assigned. So just like when you are in the Army, you may not like the assignment, but soldier up and get it done. Besides, you throw on a "Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran" pin on your Ryan's uniform and you'll probably get better tips. Make the best with what you've got, PFC Minchey.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 12:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:23:00 -0500

Thank you for your service

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2013 9:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:30:49 -0500

One thing to also remember, serve with a good heart.

There is no greater privilege than to serve our countries veterans. You, a veteran of a recent conflict, will get to serve a brother or sister veteran of a previous conflict. Recognize their sacrifices and their families sacrifices that enabled you to be a service member and, ultimately, a veteran.

You could see a veteran from my family or your family on Monday and, when you say "Thank you for your service", it will mean more from you than from a non-veteran.

Smile and serve with a good heart.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 11:37 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 11:37:56 -0500

What's the worst that can happen? You work your "at most" 8 hours and go enjoy the rest of your day?

Response by SrA Eric Olsen made Dec 31 at 2013 2:18 AM

SrA Eric Olsen — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 02:18:31 -0500

I've been out of the service since 92' and I think I have only been off from work 2-3 times since then. As much as we veterans would like to have it off we need to still carry through with our work. I have done fine and take the time when I can to pay honor when and where it's due. However I have often thought that it might be a good thing for "All" veterans to take the day off. However the end result is that I think business in the U.S. would be too greatly affected by millions of us not being at work for that day.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 10:50 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:50:53 -0500

You work when the boss tells you to work, whether that boss is a civilian or your military commander. I worked six straight Thanksgiving holidays due to deployments, field problems, and CTC deployments and averaged a 100 work week during my last two deployments. It sucks but it is a part of the job. It is also the reason I NEVER apologize for the four day weekends and 30 days paid vacation I get to take while many of the DA cilvilians and contractors I work with have to show up to work. :)

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Apr 6 at 2014 4:56 PM

SGT Suraj Dave — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 16:56:15 -0400

Were you Honorably Discharged?

Response by PO2 Maxwell Jones made Jul 13 at 2014 7:38 PM

PO2 Maxwell Jones — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 19:38:37 -0400

When I was in college our student veteran's group would submit a petition each year to have Veteran's Day as a university holiday; it never went through. MLK Day was a university recognized holiday; which we never understood.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 4 at 2014 1:08 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:08:40 -0400

I've been out for about 23 years, and in for 9 before that...I think I've had about a half dozen Veteran's days off, and every single one of them fell on a Sunday. No big deal. Yes, we earned a day to be named after us, but not necessarily a day off. It would be nice, but the day is about what you GAVE for it, not what you GET for it.

Response by PO1 David Bird made Aug 6 at 2014 4:40 PM

PO1 David Bird — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:40:35 -0400

Each year on Veteran's Day, I put on my dress uniform and go to work. I'm proud of my service and of the Military in general. As an old retiree, I have to do my best to stay in some sort of shape knowing that I've committed to squeezing into the ol' Cracker Jacks once a year! My clients seem to appreciate it, too. This is how I honor all Vets on Veteran's Day.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Jan 4 at 2015 12:40 AM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:40:13 -0500

In my newest and current job, we "pull" holidays out of a hat so that everything is covered and no one person is stuck with more than another. My first year of "pulling", I pulled Veterans Day. Ironic. The only Vet pulled that day. My bod almost felt bad and tried to "undo" my drawing. I said hell no. I'm not "special". I pulled it so I'll work it. I'd work everyday if I had to. (It would suck) Because that's what the hard working military thinking has done to me.... Suck it up, at least you're employed! Many don't have a job to complain about!

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Jan 4 at 2015 12:40 AM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:40:37 -0500

I've worked plenty of Veterans Days. And Christmas, New Years, 4th of July,weekends and other holidays. I'm glad to have a job.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Jan 4 at 2015 11:57 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 11:57:56 -0500

Running your own business I guess I could take the day off, but since everyone has to work I do to. I have always made it a point to go around and thank other vets on that day for their service. They are all working too!

Response by A1C Peter Anthony made Jan 4 at 2015 11:59 AM

A1C Peter Anthony — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 11:59:12 -0500

I agree!!!