National Hire a Veteran Day is celebrated every July 25. The day was created to encourage employers to hire some of the estimated 200,000 veterans who leave the armed forces every year, according to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA).​

Leading up to this year’s observance, MVAA recognized several state agencies as Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly Employers. They include the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and Michigan Department of Corrections.​

“Veterans bring a unique set of skills, experiences and values to the workforce because of their military service,” MDOT stated. “National Hire a Veteran Day recognizes and highlights the valuable contributions that veterans can make to civilian workplaces. Despite their skills and qualifications, veterans still struggle to find employment after leaving the military.”​

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., issued a proclamation Thursday to recognize this year’s National Hire a Veteran Day.​

“The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) have programs in place to specifically assist veterans transitioning back into the civilian workplace. On this day, we encourage employers across Michigan to consider becoming a Veteran-Friendly Employer through the MVAA to recruit top veteran talent,” Whitmer stated.​

More information for veterans and potential employers is available at michigan.gov/mvaa.