Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, was established in 1918 to mark the end of World War I and became a federal holiday in 1938 to honor its veterans. In 1954, Congress renamed it Veterans Day to honor all veterans, and President Eisenhower set November 11 as the official day to recognize their sacrifices.
Why Veterans Day is Important at Federal Recycling
Honoring and recognizing our veterans is essential, as they have made profound sacrifices to protect our freedoms and uphold our nation’s values. In 2022, 8.6 million veterans were reported to be in the workforce, accounting for one in twenty civilian workers. This statistic highlights the substantial presence of veterans in the workforce, demonstrating the importance of their contributions.
At Federal Recycling, Diversity is a core value. For us to be leaders within the recycling industry, we need a workforce that reflects a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Veterans contribute valuable perspectives and experiences to our organization, enriching our ability to better serve our customers and achieve our goals.
By acknowledging their service, we not only show gratitude but also reinforce our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives.
Veterans offer a wide variety of skills that significantly enhance our workplace. The focus on collaboration and leadership during military training makes veterans effective leaders. A veteran’s ability to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances, combined with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enables them to thrive in dynamic work environments.
Given the nature of the recycling industry, adaptability is crucial for navigating market fluctuations and customer needs. The recycling industry requires creative problem-solving skills to develop solutions to keep our customers’ waste out of landfills, supporting our zero landfill goal.
Veterans bring a strong work ethic and a steadfast commitment to excellence, making them invaluable assets in any workplace.
Meet Federal Recycling’s Veterans
At Federal Recycling, we take pride in the veterans among us. Meet the veterans of our company below:
- James Anderson – US Air Force, National Accounts
- Tim Bain – US Navy, Denver Plant
- Jason Eaton – US Air Force, Corporate Office
- Ram Garcia – US Army, Dallas Plant
- Phillip Gilman – US Army, Houston Plant
- Shelby Goodgine – US Navy, Corporate Office
- Jessi Kayser – US Navy, National Accounts
- Charles Malone – US Army, Dallas Plant
- Kyle Suggs – US Marine Corps, Dallas Plant
- Bob Taylor – US Navy, Dallas Plant
We thank them for their service.
Veteran Perspectives
Finding the Solution
Jason Eaton, Dir. of IT at Federal Recycling, served four years in the U.S. Air Force, receiving his degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS) from the University of North Dakota. Eaton fondly remembers the bonds he forged with his fellow service men and women, and how he still today considers them like family.
While in the military, Eaton learned various skills, including how to work with a sense of urgency, effective problem-solving and direct communication that have served him well in his IT career.
“While on base in North Dakota, I worked in nuclear intelligence, which required me to think very analytically and fact check thoroughly in a high stakes environment,” Eaton says. “This sense of urgency has translated to my IT career where I find a solution quickly that solves someone’s problem and helps them work more efficiently.”
Approaching Work with Integrity
Jessi Kayser, a Business Development Specialist on Federal Recycling’s National Accounts team, served four and a half years in the U.S. Navy. During her service, Kayser worked as an aviation structural mechanic, servicing F-18s.
Kayser received any qualification she could faster than the rest of her command and quickly rose through the ranks to Petty Officer, Second Class. Kayser says her work ethic, integrity and take-charge leadership style she learned from her time in service have helped her be successful at work and in life.
“Integrity and being true to your customers is integral to building strong relationships,” Kayser says. “The sense of community and family in the military is also something I carry with me in work and life, and that a great team oftentimes is important to helping everyone be successful.”
On what Veterans Day means to her, Kayser says it’s the importance of recognizing all veterans, regardless of rank, branch, active or retired.
“Everyone’s experience in the service is different but should all be valued. It’s a humbling feeling when people acknowledge my service and directly thank me.”
Ways You Can Honor and Support Veterans
There are various ways to honor our country’s veterans, both inside and outside of the workplace. To show meaningful appreciation, people can attend Veterans Day events, engaging in local community service, donate to charities that support veterans, and express gratitude to them directly.
For year-round support, options include visiting veterans at local VA facilities, offering specialized skills such as medical or IT support, donating food through organizations like Feed Our Vets, or assisting with administrative tasks at veterans’ organizations.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit the National Veterans Foundation.
How Federal Recycling is Supporting Veterans in the Local Community
This Veterans Day, Federal Recycling’s Dallas team, led by Business Development Representative Kyle Suggs, is partnering with a customer who manufactures military backpacks to donate 8,500 backpacks to Texas-based veteran nonprofit organizations Trinity Oaks Outdoors, Combat Marine Outdoors and One Tribe.
Suggs, a veteran of the Marine Corps, is heavily involved in his community with veteran causes. He saw an opportunity to support his fellow veterans and donate a part of the company’s profits from its destruction work to those in need.
“Giving back continues the camaraderie and culture of support,” Suggs says. “I’m proud to work for a company and partner with customers who see the value in supporting veterans and recognizing their service and sacrifice.”
Thank You from Federal Recycling
At Federal Recycling, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that values our veterans and want to express our admiration and gratitude for their sacrifice and commitment to our country. We sincerely thank them for their positive contributions to our company’s success.
