Veterans deserve more than just a thank you
Veterans Day offers more than just an opportunity to honor those who served and thank them for their efforts. It also provides a chance to reflect on the circumstances of these members of our community and what we as their neighbors can do to help those who need it.
While we applaud those working to help veterans in need, such as those who participated in the annual Butler County Stand Down event Friday Nov. 7, and those working for and with the Butler County Veterans Affairs office, the need for more help remains. As a community, we owe it to those who gave for us to give what we can in return.
In a 2024 report released by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data, Butler County ranked third highest in unemployment rate for working-age veterans among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties at 7%. Only the counties of Blair, 8.7%, and Schuylkill, 7.2%, had higher veteran unemployment rates. By comparison, the overall unemployment rate in the county hovered between about 3% and 3.5% during the period reflected by the report.
As everyone knows, unemployment can swiftly lead to an inability to meet basic needs, such as food, housing, clothing and access to physical and mental health care.
Those in the county working to aid veterans in need should be proud of their efforts and we hope they continue to do what they can. It is also our hope that their efforts will inspire others around the county to step up and help them help others.
— JP
