Just before Veterans Day, the Department of Labor paused to recognize 240 businesses and corporations that have excelled at hiring veterans.

As part of the inaugural Department of Labor Medallion Program, born from 2017 legislation signed by President Donald Trump, businesses from across the country and Puerto Rico were honored for their efforts to create jobs, hire veterans and maintain their veteran workforces. In the past year alone, the recipients have hired more than 8,300 veterans.

Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta lauded each of the award recipients.

“Veterans are in high-demand in the work place because they are incredible individuals who serve our nation and who, when they return, just want a good, family-sustaining job where they can continue to be the heart of a team,” Acosta said during a Thursday event at the department's headquarters. “And that's why I am so pleased to honor the job creators that have recognized the importance of hiring veterans.”

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Businesses that applied for consideration had to meet various criteria, including offering leadership programs and tuition assistance to their veteran employees. They were broken down by size (large, medium, and small categories) and received either Gold or Platinum honors, dubbed 2018 HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration Awards.

Col. Paul Cook, USMC (Ret), who just days before won re-election to his California House of Representatives seat, sponsored the Medallion Program legislation. He said he was shocked - and thrilled - that so many businesses applied.

Cook served 26 years in the Marine Corps, including a tour in Vietnam. He remembered coming home and feeling a bias from employers who felt veterans may be recalled or suffer mental health issues. His legislation was a way to encourage employers to give veterans a second look, he said.

“I am very happy,” Cook said. “Everybody says, 'We're going to take care of veterans.' If you guys are serious, then prove it.”

Among the large business award recipients were Arizona Public Service Company and Southwest Airlines.
Master Sgt. Gabriel Rios, USA and USMC (Ret), who is a member of the Southwest Airlines Military Ambassador Program, said he was excited to receive the award for his company.

He retired in 2016 after 23 years of service, and said he was grateful that he landed at a company that has pledged to accommodate veterans in its workforce: Each veteran gets a military pin to symbolize service, he said, but he highlighted the airline's Military Ambassador Program board, which allows veterans to engage directly with leadership.

“We're there to help bridge the gap of communication and any issues we're having amongst veterans that have transitioned into the civilian world,” he said.

Amanda Dolasinski is MOAA's staff writer. She can be reached at amandad@moaa.org. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaMOAA.