By Diane Rath
Published: 03-13-08
AUSTIN – A Message from Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Diane Rath: The crisp paper has dulled and browned with age. The blue ink that once leapt off the page is darker now and smeared in some places. I was surprised to see the letter again after I had written it to a serviceman stationed in Vietnam more than 40 years ago. The sentiments I expressed then still hold true today.
At 14 years old and in my girlish scrawl I wrote to a serviceman stationed thousands of miles from home part of a class assignment while I was a high school freshman in San Antonio. The young man was in the Air Force and stationed in Saigon as an electrician when he received my letter. I never knew the man or if my letter was ever received. Recently his son came across my letter while going through his father’s belongings after his death and returned the letter to me.
I wrote about my hobbies likes and dislikes. I wrote about my classes family and other things that occupied a young teenager’s mind.
The letter offers a snapshot of my world in December 1967 but most importantly conveys my respect for the sacrifice this young man was making for his country. Today’s Americans should be aware that our brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces need the same words of encouragement and support I offered then and still do now. It only takes a few moments to sit down and send a note to a soldier but it can mean the world to someone so far from familiar surroundings.
‘Thank you for taking an interest (while a student) in supporting our troops’ his son wrote to me. ‘I know that my father appreciated your support as evidenced by him keeping your letter all these years.’ It means the world to me that I may have offered some encouragement to a serviceman years ago.
Today as TWC Chair I still strive to actively help veterans. For veterans seeking work Texas Workforce Solutions a partnership between TWC and 28 local workforce development boards offers a complete range of employment services at265 workforce centers across Texas.
Through Texas Workforce Solutions returning veterans receive job-search assistance resume preparation services and career counseling all designed to help Texas workers find jobs or improve their careers. Veterans also may qualify for skills training child care assistance help with transportation challenges and other services.
I encourage all Texans to lend the same support to our soldiers fighting to keep our country safe today. You may not think it makes a difference but believe me it does.
Diane Rath is Chair and Commissioner Representing the Public for the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor George W. Bush appointed her to the three-member Commission in September 1996 and named her TWC Chair on June 2 1998. Governor Rick Perry reappointed her as Commissioner and Chair on June 13 2001. On
July 11 2007 President George W. Bush nominated Rath to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families at U. S. Health and Human Services. She is awaiting Senate confirmation.
