Given that this week is widely known as National Veteran Small Business Week, I wanted to take the time to reflect on the importance of this special group and why it is near and dear to my heart! I have a deep respect and admiration for the sacrifice of military service. My grandfather, pictured above, was a Marine in World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal of Honor, and his picture and Presidential citation from Harry Truman are proudly displayed in my parents’ home. My grandfather passed away 24 years ago this week. What he has eternally is our gratitude for his influence as the embodiment of so many special characteristics of the Greatest Generation: namely passionate reverence and dedication to God, family, and country.
He enlisted after Pearl Harbor and was a part of some of the most grueling battlefields in Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He spoke very little of the long years he survived in the war, and was always a passionate supporter of our country, inspiring the continuing of his legacy of service in my cousin who is now a Rear Admiral in the Navy currently serving in Japan.
My family members’ service and sacrifice instill in me a steadfast purpose in supporting veterans in any way I can. I currently volunteer my support to encourage furthering the advocacy of veteran-owned businesses here in my home state of Florida with the Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses (FAVOB). I am also fortunate enough to be a part of a Veteran-operated company, and in my work, I proudly seek to assist veteran-owned government contractors in accessing what they need to be successful in the federal marketplace.
Organizations like FAVOB allow for a unified voice to seek legislative action to establish more opportunities for veteran businesses and establish an ecosystem of shared resources to assist with job creation, revenue generation, referral access, organic marketing, and support for whatever type of business you have with the intent of growing our state into the #1 place for veteran business growth and success.
It is my hope that by supporting veteran businesses and organizations like FAVOB I am contributing to the memory of my grandfather’s service. I encourage my community to support veteran business leaders in accessing the opportunities that will help them thrive in their lives after service. The sacrifice they gave to protect our freedom is worthy of so much more than that but I find that is the least I can do to say thank you. I hope the year ahead brings forth an abundance of opportunities and support for all veteran businesses, and my wish is for organizations like FAVOB to continue to grow so they can be a beacon for the veteran leaders to come!
If you would like to join us or sponsor the cause, please check out www.FAVOB.org!