32nd Annual DoD Disability Awards Ceremony

Only a few days after the GOP, in the Senate, voted down the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Treaty, based on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the DOD Holds it's Annual Disability Awards Ceremony. In that vote, on the Senate floor, the GOP showed their disdain for the Military personal serving with Disabilities, becoming so while in service to the country and most from our wars they were sent into but stayed in service, as well as their family members, serving on bases around the World also DoD employee's many being ex-military. Along with the Military Veterans who have become ex-pats living outside of the states or those traveling to other countries and those countries are not up to the standards the Americans with Disabilities Act had set here. These mentioned are only one group within the community of people with disabilities, worldwide, the UN Treaty is meant to help as the ADA has done within our borders.

Capt. Ryan McGuire, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot with the 4th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., was one of two service members recognized as Outstanding Department of Defense Service Members with Disabilities for 2012, at the 32nd Annual Department of Defense Disability Awards Ceremony held in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., on Dec. 04, 2012.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2012 – The 32nd Annual Department of Defense Disability Awards Ceremony was hosted yesterday by Frederick E. Vollrath, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for readiness and force management, in the Pentagon Auditorium, according to a Department of Defense news release.

The annual event provides an overview of DOD disability policy and initiatives, recognizes DOD organizations for their efforts in the employment of individuals with disabilities, and highlights the accomplishments of DOD employees with disabilities and wounded, ill, or injured service members.

"Diversity is essential and has been a key to the success of our armed forces and civilian workforce," Vollrath said. "When we embrace a range of talent and perspective, our ability to defend our nation grows stronger."

Kareem A. Dale, special assistant to the president for disability policy was the keynote speaker and expanded upon this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month's theme, "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"

DOD's Director of Disability Programs Stephen King also spoke at the ceremony.

"The bottom line is America must employ the talents, skills, and capabilities of incredibly bright and productive citizens -- both in and out of uniform -- who want to serve our country," King said. "People with disabilities often face unique challenges; we need that type of problem-solving ability and skill in the workplace."

The following 17 DOD employees with disabilities and wounded, ill, or injured service members received secretary of defense awards for their outstanding contributions to national security: read more>>>

Been a decade plus GOPers of you making us Americans Proud, NOT, around the World! As your last leader of said "Mission Accomplished"!!