22 U.S. V T RANS MAGAZ N WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM
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uch has changed in the world and in our country since our publication was founded. Everywhere we look, times are shifting, and it's our goal to always be a part of learning from the past to make the future better and brighter for those who have been called to serve. The impact of veterans in their communities is multifold. They bring their skills, expertise, values and work ethic to local business, politics and the community at large. However, they have, unfortunately, not always received the aid and respect that is due to someone who honorably served in our armed forces. As U.S. Veterans Magazine celebrates 10 years of supporting those who have been called to serve, we asked some of our partners about the difference they've seen in the veteran experience over the last decade.
Top 6 Significant Changes for Veterans
U.S. Veterans Magazine : What do you believe has been the most tjhojdbou!dibohf!ps!cfofu!up! wfufsbot!jo!uif!mbtu!21!zfbst@ Bobby McDonald, OC Black Chamber of Commerce: "In the year 2012, in the county of Orange, in the State of California, there were over 150,000 veterans living in the county. Orange County was the third largest county in California behind Los Angeles and San Diego and had no outside funding or support other than the Veterans Service 0!!!! from the California Department of Veterans Affairs, through the County of Orange. The Orange County Veterans Advisory Council (OCVAC) was formed and comprised of members appointed by the OC Board of Supervisors. The board was made up of nine members that were U.S. military veterans with honorable discharges. In 2012, the OCVAC was injected with [a] couple of Vietnam veterans that were of the mindset to make a positive change in the veterans environment and set a course of involvement, awareness, outreach, resource availability and positive outcomes. Armed with the theme 'Have We Helped A Veteran Today' and a commitment to help veterans get housing, education, health, employment and legal support, the group set forth to make positive measurable changes with partnerships." Lfjui!Ljoh-!Obujpobm!Wfufsbo! Cvtjoftt!Efwfmpqnfou!Dpvodjm! (NVBDC): "The inclusion of veteran- owned businesses in the supplier diversity programs of America's leading corporations !!!! change of the past 10 years. When veteran businesses !!!!! contracting entities in the federal government, many veteran businesses celebrated. But the hype never lived up to the promise. As the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) was forming in late 2012, it was clear that, if a third-party !! !!!! program for veteran business owners that met corporate supplier diversity standards, the corporations would give !!!!! compete for contracts. In 2014, when the NVBDC presented !!!!! group of corporations, they all gave NVBDC their tacit approval. By 2017, when the 28 corporations of the Billion Dollar Roundtable named NVBDC as the only acceptable !!! to use to capture and report their veteran business spend amounts, they created an $80 billion opportunity for our veteran businesses." Qijm!Lpxbmd{zl-!Qsftjefou!boe!DFP! pg!Dbnq!Dpssbm; " The awareness and understanding of mental health challenges veterans, Bobby McDonald
COURTESY OF ORANGE COUNTRY BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Keith King
COURTESY OF NVBDC
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