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Today, we celebrate the men and women who have served our country, the families who have supported them and the incredible contributions they continue to make in our communities and workplaces.

Veterans Day is about gratitude, remembrance and recognizing the sacrifices made by those who answered the call to serve. It's also an opportunity to think about what happens after military service and how we can help those who've given so much to our country build successful futures here at home.

Yesterday, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) proudly put that commitment into action as we hosted our 15th Annual Hiring Red, White & You! Statewide Veterans Hiring Event, simultaneously in Round Rock and San Marcos.

And what an incredible turnout!

More than 150 employers and over 600 job seekers participated across both locations, including veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and other Central Texans exploring new career opportunities.

From the Round Rock Sports Center in Williamson County to the San Marcos Activity Center in Hays County, employers and job seekers came together with a shared purpose: connecting talented people with meaningful employment opportunities.

It was a wonderful way to begin our Veterans Day celebration and a powerful reminder of why this annual tradition matters.

15 Years of Turning Appreciation Into Opportunity

For 15 years, Hiring Red, White & You! has brought together employers, workforce professionals and veteran-serving organizations to help military veterans and their families connect with meaningful employment.

What began as a statewide initiative in 2012 has become an important annual tradition, helping Texas communities recognize military service through something that can make a lasting difference: career opportunities.

Because thanking someone for their service is important, but helping them build a successful future after that service is one of the most meaningful ways we can show our appreciation.

Every year, military personnel transition into civilian life, bringing years of training, experience and leadership with them. Some know exactly which career they want to pursue, while others are exploring how their military experience translates into opportunities outside the armed forces.

That's where events like Hiring Red, White & You! make such a difference.

By bringing employers and job seekers together face-to-face, we help bridge the gap between military experience and civilian employment while introducing businesses to an extraordinary pool of talent.

And after 15 years, that mission remains as important as ever.

Why Veterans Are Among Our Workforce's Greatest Assets

Ask any employer what makes a great employee, and you'll likely hear many of the same qualities.

Leadership. Reliability. Teamwork. Adaptability. Problem-solving. Accountability.

These are skills our military service members develop and demonstrate throughout their careers, often while working in challenging environments where their decisions affect the safety and success of others.

Think about the experience a military logistics specialist brings to transportation and supply chain operations, or how a veteran who maintained sophisticated equipment could contribute to advanced manufacturing.

Military healthcare professionals, technology specialists, mechanics, engineers, administrators and countless others develop valuable skills that can transfer into civilian careers.

But their value goes beyond technical expertise.

Veterans understand the importance of working toward a shared mission, supporting their teammates and adapting when circumstances change. They've learned how to lead, follow, communicate and perform under pressure.

Those are qualities that can strengthen any workplace.

Across Central Texas, where employers continue to seek skilled workers in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, technology, construction and other growing industries, veterans represent an incredible opportunity to build stronger teams.

Of course, every veteran brings different experiences and career goals. That's why it's important for employers to look beyond military job titles and take time to understand the actual skills, training and accomplishments behind them.

Hiring a veteran isn't just a way to say thank you. It's an investment in the future of your business and our regional workforce.

Military Families Serve, Too

As the son of a military veteran, I understand that service affects more than the person wearing the uniform.

Military families experience their own sacrifices, from deployments and long separations to frequent moves, changing schools and the challenges of building a stable home life around the demands of military service.

Behind so many of our veterans are spouses, children, parents and loved ones who have provided encouragement, strength and support through every chapter.

Their contributions deserve our gratitude, too.

For military spouses, frequent relocations can interrupt education, professional development and career advancement. When a service member transitions into civilian life, the entire family may face new decisions about employment, housing, education and their future.

That's why supporting military families is such an important part of our workforce mission.

Through career coaching, training opportunities, employment services and employer connections, WSRCA and our partners help veterans and their families explore new possibilities and pursue careers that support their long-term success.

When we help a military family find stability and opportunity, we're doing more than supporting one household. We're strengthening the communities they call home.

Two Communities, One Mission and Hundreds of New Connections

Yesterday's Hiring Red, White & You! events demonstrated what happens when employers, workforce organizations and community partners work together.

Across our two locations, more than 150 employers took time to meet with prospective employees, discuss available positions and introduce job seekers to career opportunities throughout the region.

More than 600 job seekers participated, bringing their experiences, ambitions and questions directly to the businesses looking for talent.

Veterans and military families received priority access during the opening hours, followed by opportunities for all job seekers to connect with employers.

For some attendees, those conversations may lead to interviews and new jobs. For others, they provided an opportunity to learn about different industries, better understand employer expectations or discover a career path they hadn't previously considered.

And that's something worth celebrating.

A successful hiring event isn't measured only by the number of people who walk through the doors. It's also about the relationships created, the information shared and the opportunities that begin with a simple conversation.

Whether someone is transitioning out of military service, returning to the workforce or looking for a better career opportunity, having the chance to speak directly with employers can make all the difference.

Thank You to the Partners Who Make It Possible

Bringing two major hiring events to life simultaneously takes tremendous coordination, commitment and teamwork, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year's celebration possible.

We were especially honored to welcome distinguished guests who shared opening remarks and reinforced the importance of supporting our veterans and military families.

In Round Rock, we welcomed City Councilmember and WSRCA Board Member Rene Flores; Lowell Keig, Director of the Unemployment Insurance Division at the Texas Workforce Commission; and Keith Callands, District Supervisor with the Texas Veterans Commission. WSRCA Chief Solutions Officer Kelly Moreno helped lead the morning's program.

In San Marcos, we were joined by WSRCA Board Chair Frank Leonardis; Mayor Jane Hughson; Amy Landrum, Director of the Office of Communications & Media at the Texas Workforce Commission; and Marcus Bollinger, Rural Veteran Career Advisor with the Texas Veterans Commission. WSRCA Managing Director Yvonne Lopez helped welcome attendees and lead the program.

Our sincere thanks to each of these leaders for taking time to recognize those who served and champion the career opportunities they deserve.

We're equally grateful to the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Veterans Commission, our participating employers, veteran-serving organizations and community partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening our regional workforce.

And to our incredible WSRCA team and partners who coordinated both events, welcomed attendees and helped make these connections possible, thank you for another outstanding effort!

Events like these remind us that workforce development is truly a team effort, and strong partnerships create stronger communities.

Our Gratitude Should Last Longer Than One Day

As we celebrate Veterans Day, it's important to remember that our responsibility to those who served doesn't end when today's ceremonies and celebrations are over.

Our veterans have already demonstrated their willingness to serve something greater than themselves. Now, as they pursue the next chapters of their lives, we have an opportunity to recognize their talents, support their ambitions and help them continue contributing to the communities and businesses we all depend on.

That's why 15 years of Hiring Red, White & You! means so much.

It's more than an annual hiring event. It represents a continuing commitment to ensuring military experience is recognized, valuable skills aren't overlooked and veterans and their families have access to the opportunities they've earned.

Yesterday, hundreds of Central Texans came together to put that commitment into action. Today, we celebrate the people who inspire it.

To every veteran across Central Texas and beyond, thank you for your courage, sacrifice and service to our nation. To the families who have stood beside them, thank you for your strength, patience and unwavering support.

And to the employers and community partners who continue opening doors, thank you for helping us turn gratitude into meaningful opportunity.

Our veterans have already helped protect our nation's future. Let's make sure they have every opportunity to help build it, too.

Happy Veterans Day from all of us at Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area!

Learn more about our career services for veterans, military families and employers at workforcesolutionsrca.com.