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Today a secretary sent an email to all employees (about 400) at my company that said something like:
I am just sitting here thinking about how lucky I am and want to just thank the veterans for their service, particularly the ones in Iraq.
Another secretary responded: AMEN
Another secretary responded: Isn't it great we all think alike?
Another secretary responded: On behave of my son (active army soldier) and myself (vietnam vet), thank you.
I am a manager, and although I wanted to send a reply to all employees, I felt I couldn't slam these staff people. My reaction was mixed. The sentiment - if genuine - is great. I was concerned that this was one of those - support the troops by not criticizing anything the adminstration did, is doing or will in the future do.
So, I decided to take a one on one approach. I sent an email to the vietnam vet thanking her for her service and saying that I hope support included decent pay, living arrangements, healthcare, commissory benefits and education. She thanked me for these thoughts. Then I took a chance and sent her a link to Wesley Clark's op-ed piece in the Globe. She like that and focused on Rumsfield's announcment of more troops saying that we had to send a message via the voting box that the adminstration is not doing a good job. I was very encouraged. I am going to tackle the other people tomorrow.
Anyway, I encourage you to be proactive for Veteran's Day - let's focus on the true needs of our vets. They don't need any more flag waving - they need money, benefits and healthcare -- and respect.
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