A message from King County Executive Dow Constantine:
Ever since the first “Armistice Day” was declared 92 years ago, we as a nation have set aside a special day to honor those who have answered the call to duty and preserved our freedoms.
That number includes 20 King County employees who were called to active duty in 2011, and 837 total county employees who are veterans. Nearly 4,000 King County residents have been deployed in the last 12 months. In all, more than 147,000 veterans, reservists and active duty personnel live in King County.
Many who went off to war made the ultimate sacrifice, never returning to their homes and loved ones. Others came home with physical and emotional wounds, with lives changed forever. Nearly 90 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers report combat-related trauma. Multiple deployments overseas have severely strained family finances and family stability. Veterans of all ages are finding both employment and affordable housing scarce in our uncertain economy.
Fortunately, we can help.
By a margin of nearly 70 percent, voters in King County showed their respect for local veterans and compassion for others in need by renewing the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy. With that funding, we are increasing the availability of trauma counseling for veterans and their families, and developing employment and training services to help veterans find living wage jobs in our communities.
And we will work with our partners to increase housing opportunities, because even one veteran coming home to homelessness is one too many. I am proud of our shared commitment to helping veterans of all ages achieve a successful transition from their military service to their rightful place in our community.
On Friday, November 11, I ask you to join me in thanking our King County veterans and their families for their patriotism, their service and their sacrifice. Their contributions will never be forgotten.
Sincerely,
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Posted on November 10, 2011 by christinelange
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