Book Displays: Veterans Day ~ November 11

One commonality between most veterans is a hard-core work ethic, something with which they find a good match in the restaurant business. From the battlefield to the hospitality industry, they soldier on to a new kind of service, bringing leadership skills to the kitchens they now call home. Read on to meet veteran chefs from around the nation.

Recognizing that former military service members make great chefs, culinary schools [CIA and more] have gone to great lengths to help veterans complete their training and secure jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Thanks to an increased demand from veterans eager to pursue culinary careers...the soldiers-to-chefs trend includes significant success stories.

Here's a look at four veterans in San Antonio who own restaurants, having made the move from military service to community service through their love of cooking. Armed with discipline honed in the defense of the nation, some military veterans have put away their uniforms and picked up chefs' knives as they transition to civilian life as restaurant owners.

FSR magazine profile of the CIA. Enrollment of military veterans is on the rise at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, which—ironically—was founded immediately after World War II to provide culinary training for returning veterans.

From PBS KCET Meals Ready to Eat. Today, a growing number of military veterans are pursuing culinary careers. The culinary field is very natural for military transitioners and veterans due to the built-in structure and drive for excellence. Many military vet-chefs are rising through the ranks at some of the best restaurants throughout the United States as a result of their built-in skill sets.

Written, produced, directed and hosted by military veterans, "Meals Ready to Eat" travels coast to coast and abroad exploring the foodie culture and gourmet culinary practices of the military-veteran community. Navy veteran, food aficionado and show host August Dannehl goes behind the scenes into the vibrant world of military food operations, from gourmet recipes developed inside military dining halls to a Marine veteran who utilizes his military experience to command a first-class kitchen. The series features interviews and cooking demos. S1 E3: CIA and Petit Trois
Walk the halls of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Spend time with Chef Ludo Lefebvres’ lieutenant, Will Marquardt, Army veteran and Chef de Cuisine at Petit Trois, as well as Top Chef Master Neal Fraser owner of downtown L.A. restaurant Redbird.

For generations, millions of Americans have answered the call to serve — taking the sacred oath to defend and preserve our Nation’s ideals of liberty and democracy. These patriots represent the best of us. On Veterans Day, we honor their service, dedication, and valor and are forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Veterans Day is a well-known American holiday, but there are also a few misconceptions about it — like how it’s spelled or whom exactly it celebrates. To clear some of that up, here are the important facts you should know.

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Veterans Day embodies the heart and spirit of our nation. Join us to honor and celebrate the selfless commitment of the millions of Veterans who defend our freedom and way of life.

Many national parks have direct connections to the American military—there are dozens of battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate and honor the service of American veterans. In addition, every national park is part of our collective identity that defines who we are and where we came from as a nation. They are tactile reminders of the values, the ideals, and the freedoms that our veterans protect.

Why We Serve honors the generations of Native Americans who have served in the armed forces of the United States—often in extraordinary numbers—since the American Revolution.