In honor of Veterans Day, the Department of Commerce hosted an event to honor the more than 5,000 veteran employees, their family members, and those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The event also showcased the Department’s commitment to recruiting and hiring more veterans to the Commerce workforce.

During the event, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Don Graves gave virtual remarks stating Veterans Day is a day of service and a day for America to come together. Secretary Raimondo emphasized the Commerce Department’s ongoing commitment to hiring veterans and President Biden’s promise of freedom and equality for all Americans.

“I know how important the veterans in our Commerce workforce are in achieving our mission. Our team of hiring managers are working hard to prioritize hiring more veterans,” said Secretary Raimondo. “To all of you – the more than 5000 veterans working at Commerce, as well as our NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps – thank you for your service to our country in support of America’s workers, families, and businesses.”

The event also acknowledged veterans’ value to the federal government workforce and the Department’s commitment to employing more veterans. Commerce continues to take steps to mandate veterans’ employment training for all HR professionals and supervisors; provide benefits to veterans and military spouses who become employed; and forge partnerships with other federal agencies, veteran service organizations, as well as colleges and universities.

“The Department of Commerce is a leader in employing veterans and we remain committed to attracting and hiring veterans who have served and sacrificed in defense of our country, as well as trained to perform needed services in mission-critical and mission-support occupations,” said Deputy Secretary Graves.

Featured speakers at the event included Chief Master Sergeant Victor Allen (U.S. Air Force Retired), who spoke about his years of military service and his role in the 1996 rescue and recovery of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and all those who perished following the tragic plane crash in Croatia. Brigadier General Antoinette Gant, Army Enterprise Marketing Office, Manpower & Reserve Affairs, also spoke at the event and acknowledged all the men and women from all military branches who were present both in-person and online. She also thanked all Gold Star families for their sacrifice in support of our Nation’s military. The event concluded with a presentation by the United States Coast Guard Silent Drill Team.

The Commerce Department’s mission is to promote meaningful employment opportunities for veterans and encourage their integration into the Commerce workforce nationwide through effective training, career development, and promotional opportunities. The Biden Administration and the Commerce Department are committed to the equality and diversity of all Americans and creating a workplace and an economy that works for all Americans.