Douglas County’s Veteran Leadership: From Proclaiming National Invest In Veterans Week® to Achieving Functional Zero for Veterans
Douglas County stands as a national model for veteran support. In 2022, it honored National Invest In Veterans Week® with a proclamation and a deeply personal ceremony recognizing local veteran leaders. By 2024, it advanced from ceremonial recognition to policy execution—achieving Functional Zero for Veterans, ensuring homelessness among veterans is rare, brief, and quickly resolved. The county’s integrated approach demonstrates that investing in veterans produces measurable, community-wide outcomes.
“I'm Beau, Emmy Award-winning journalist and television host.
Every year, from March 1st to 7th, we celebrate National Invest In Veterans Week—a time to honor the incredible men and women who've served our country and now drive our economy forward as entrepreneurs.
Veteran-owned businesses employ millions and generate over a trillion dollars in revenue. They're innovators, leaders, and job creators who deserve our investment.
Let's invest in them: Shop veteran-owned. Partner with veterans. Ask your local legislators to honor local veteran entrepreneurs.
Because when we invest in veterans, we invest in America's future.
Join the movement at InvestInVeteransWeek.com.
Thank you for your service—and a salute to those who are investing in it.”
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![Logo of The Reis-Davis Graduate School in Los Angeles, California, featuring a black circle with white initials 'RD GS' and a light blue border with the school's name.]()
Reiss-Davis Graduate School
“Reiss-Davis Graduate School recognizes National Invest in Veterans Week (March 1-7, 2023). We asked noted veterans advocate and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Veterans Studies, Mariana Grohowski, PhD, to share her thoughts on advancing the cause of veterans and their families.”
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![Purple and beige Purdue University logo with the text "Military Family Research Institute" below.]()
Military Family Research Institute
“The first week of March is National Invest in #Veterans Week, designed to support the efforts of veterans building lives for themselves and their families through their work and businesses.”
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![A black and white logo featuring the letters E and U in bold, stylized font.]()
EnergyUnited
“Today marks the final day of Invest In Veterans Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the important work being done by Purple Heart Homes. Founded in 2008, Purple Heart Homes is a non-profit organization that works to provide housing solutions to veterans and their families who are in need.”
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![Cintas logo with the slogan "Ready for the Workday" in red.]()
Cintas Corporation
“It's National Invest in Veterans Week! At Cintas we are proud to be a Top Veteran-Friendly Company and are committed to recruiting military talent. For all the sacrifices they have made, we are dedicated to providing opportunities for Veterans to succeed.”
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![Logo for GCIA Gary/Chicago International Airport.]()
Gary/Chicago International Airport
“Happy #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek! Back in November, GYY received the prestigious HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an honor bestowed by the @USDOL for our efforts to create jobs that recruit, employ and retain veterans’ who have served our country!”
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![Logo with a bald eagle's head, the text 'ARMED FORCES' with a small American flag between the words, and 'vacation club' underneath.]()
Armed Forces Vacation Club
"#DidYouKnow it's National Invest In Veterans Week? National Invest In Veterans Week is observed every year from March 1 through March 7. This is a week where we support and honor aspiring and established veteran business owners!”
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![Columbia Gas of Ohio logo with blue text and an orange star-like symbol]()
Columbia Gas of Ohio
“We're proud to support our veterans, and especially those on our team! #InvestinVeteransWeek is a good reminder to invest in veterans after all they've invested in our country.”
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![Logo of the National Academy of Sciences featuring a woman holding a balance scale inside a gold circle.]()
National Academy of Sciences
“#DYK It’s #NationalInvestinVeteransWeek! In this touching #TheScienceBehindIt video, meet Ray, Casey, and Raymond as they share their coming home stories and talk about the challenges facing millions of veterans.”
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![Waubonsee Community College logo with a shield and sunburst design]()
Waubonsee Community College
“#Waubonsee is proud to serve those students who have served our country, and we'll do everything we can to streamline the process, start you on the right foot, and support your endeavors every step of the way. #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek”
