On Memorial Day, America honors, mourns and remembers her greatest and bravest heroes, those who gave their lives for their country while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Though a solemn occasion, this is also an opportunity to pay tribute to living members of the Veteran Community that embody the resilient spirit and generosity of their fallen compatriots, and to the many organizations that support them and Gold Star families.
A poignant member of this devoted community is the founder of America’s Mighty Warriors, Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee, whose son, Marc, was the first Navy SEAL to be killed in Iraq on August 2, 2006.
This spirit of selfless service is exemplified in Marc’s Last Letter Home, where he asks for friends and family to “pass on the love and kindness and precious gift of human life”.
Here is our humble effort to honor a few veteran-operated and veteran-serving organizations that, besides delivering services and products within the Home category, uplift the active Military and Veteran Communities in many ways: creating jobs; developing skills; offering business opportunities; providing hope & inspiration; and helping the most vulnerable members cope on a daily basis.
At the end of these profiles, we have also provided links that can help you find other veteran owned and operated businesses in your local community. Remember that it is not necessary to wait for a national holiday to show support for Military families or Veteran causes. Hiring a well-qualified, trustworthy and motivated veteran is one way to demonstrate gratitude throughout the year. By supporting them, you will be indirectly helping their special outreach programs, as well.
Canine Companions for Independence
Website: cci.org
Year Founded: 1975
Location: Santa Rosa, CA (HQ), with chapters & training centers in over 50 locations throughout the US
Founder: Dr. Bonnie Bergin
Employees: 4,700+
Description: Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
Dr. Bonnie Bergin is the creator of the concept of the service dog. Founding the world’s first mobility service dog organization in 1975, she has devoted her life to teaching and training dogs for individuals with disabilities. She also founded the Bergin College of Canine Studies, the first and only program of its kind that focuses on teaching individuals not only how to train dogs, but to provide them the knowledge to start their own assistance dog organizations. In 2006, at Bergin College, she also started a research program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that led to the creation of Paws for Purple Hearts.
Veterans Initiative: Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD. Besides providing much-needed physical assistance, Canine Companions assistance dogs also provide invaluable emotional support that can make a profound and lasting impact on combat veterans struggling to cope within very challenging circumstances.
Additional Links:
Live Puppy Cam
Ways to Support
JDog Franchises
Business Category: Junk Removal & Carpet Cleaning
Tagline: For Veterans. By Veterans.
Website: jdogbrands.com
Year Founded: 2014
Location: Berwyn, PA (HQ), with franchises in over 200 locations in 31 states throughout the US
Founders: Jerry & Tracy Flanagan. Jerry is a US Army Veteran.
Employees: 200+
Description: JDog Franchises is the fastest growing junk removal, exclusive Veteran franchiser in the country. The company provides residential and commercial junk removal, hauling, light demolition, carpet cleaning and other services to 40 million Americans across 31 states. JDog encourages Veteran franchise owners to hire other Veterans with the goal of reducing the Veteran unemployment rate to below 1%.
Veterans Initiative: JDog Foundation. The JDog Foundation’s mission is to support Military Veterans and Military families in their everyday lives. Three key programs are: Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention; Higher Education for Veterans; and Remembering Fallen Warriors.
Additional Links:
JDog Franchise Information
Bottle Breacher
Website: bottlebreacher.com
Founded: 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Founder: Eli Crane, US Navy SEAL
Employees: 20
Description: Hand crafted 50 caliber bottle openers made by Active Duty service members and Veterans. The staff at Bottle Breacher used to use 50 caliber ammunition to defend our country down range, they now use them to provide the best Man gifts, groomsmen gifts, and promotional products on the market.
Veterans Initiative: Never Forgotten. Special commemorative products in memory of fallen soldiers, with portion of proceeds going to America’s Mighty Warriors, who offers programs that help those who served and families of the fallen through HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment), Gold Star Respite programs, and more.
MILLIE
Website: gomillie.com
Year Founded: 2015
Location: Arlington, VA
Founders: Ken Robbins, US Army, Armor, and Jason Dempsey, US Army Infantry
Employees: 29+
Description: MILLIE is an online community that helps military families make the PCS (Permanent Change of Station) process less stressful through their network of professional service partners, support and content. The company connects members of the underserved market of Military families with trusted real estate agents and location scouts that are intimately knowledgeable and empathetic to the stress and challenges related to the military moving process. Many of their agents and scouts are veterans or military spouses who can offer much needed comfort, trust and security.
With tools and curated content, military families can make essential decisions, such as finding the right neighborhoods and schools for their family. Their mission is to give military families a 360-degree view of their future home from 1000’s of miles away. MILLIE has curated online installation guides for over 70 military installations—offered free to military families.
Cascadia Global Security
Website: cascadiaglobalsecurity.com
Year Founded: 2018
Location: Seattle, Washington
Founders: Asa Palagi, Army Officer, and Joshua Harris, Army combat veteran
Employees: 20+
Description: Cascadia Global Security (CGS) provides armed and unarmed security guard and patrol services, as well as deterrence against theft and vandalism of your property or facility. Security services related to residences and construction include protection for large construction sites and security solutions for gated communities and apartment complexes. For construction sites, they help deter theft and vandalism of your property, and for large projects, can provide overnight security to ward off trespassers. For HOA’s and Gated Communities, they provide safety and security to homeowners while they are away at work, on vacation, or on business trips.
The company actively hire veterans as they believe that former members of the Military are highly-suited to be security professionals by possessing the following traits: Attitude of Security Specialists; Professionalism; Discipline; Ability to Act; and Intercultural Communication.
Directories of Veteran Owned & Operated Businesses
BuyVeteran.com
Home Services
Home & Garden
Residential Construction
The Veteran Owned Business Directory
Residential Construction, Repair and Improvements
Residential Services
Security and Safety
Real Estate Services
