A Tribute to the Fallen and to the Enduring American Belief That Every Generation Has a Role to Play in Building a Stronger Country

IRVING, Texas — ������ý joins communities across the United States and Puerto Rico in observing Memorial Day, a solemn national day of remembrance for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to the country.

“Memorial Day calls on all of us to pause and honor the Americans who gave their lives so that the rest of us could pursue ours,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and Chief Executive Officer of ������ý. “The most meaningful way we can honor that sacrifice is by doing the work of building a stronger country by helping every American develop the talents they were given and by working together as one people toward a shared future,” he added.

Memorial Day dates back to 1868, when Gen. John A. Logan, then Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11, designating May 30 as a national day to honor those who died in the Civil War. The first major observance that year took place at Arlington National Cemetery, where some 5,000 Americans gathered to decorate more than 20,000 soldiers’ graves. After the First World War, the observance was expanded to honor all American service members who had died in defense of the nation. In 1971, Congress formally established Memorial Day as a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May.

The freedoms preserved by their sacrifice are the same freedoms that allow Americans to learn, work, build businesses, raise families, and contribute their talents to the strength of the nation. That is the inheritance every generation receives, and the inheritance every generation is asked to steward.

This Memorial Day, ������ý invites every American to take a moment of reflection — to visit a national cemetery, to attend a local ceremony, to place a flag, to read the name of a fallen service member aloud — and then to recommit to the work of strengthening the country they died for. The development of the individual’s talents, the dignity of work, and the power of Americans working together remain the surest tribute we can offer..

SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. (������ý) joins communities across the United States in observing Cinco de Mayo, marking the anniversary of the May 5, 1862, Battle of Puebla, a moment in history when an outnumbered, under-equipped force, led by Texas-born Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza, held the line against a far larger army through discipline, unity, and uncommon resolve.

“Cinco de Mayo reminds us that courage, preparation, and unity can overcome the steepest of odds,” said Ignacio Salazar, president and CEO of ������ý. “At SER, we see that same spirit every day; in the worker pursuing a new credential, in the young person stepping into a first career, in the experienced professional choosing to upskill again. Our affiliates and the people they serve are proof that when Americans commit to learning, working, and lifting one another, our economy and our country grow stronger.”

More than 160 years later, the lesson of that day in Puebla endures. It is a universal story of ordinary people, working together toward a common purpose, finding strength in one another, and turning long odds into lasting inspiration. It is, in many ways, a universal American story; the story of what people can accomplish when they prepare, persevere, and stand together.

“That spirit is at the heart of ������ý’s work,” states Salazar. “For more than six decades, SER has invested in the most powerful resource any nation possesses: its people. Through the SER Network of Affiliates, which spans 26 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, more than 1 million participants are served each year with education, training, employment services, and pathways to economic opportunity. The affiliates are the engine of that mission: community-rooted, locally led, and indispensable to every chapter of SER’s success,” he adds.

That achievement aligns with the most recent labor data as well. The U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March 2026, the strongest monthly gain since December 2024, with the unemployment rate at 4.3 percent and the Hispanic unemployment rate at 4.8 percent. The numbers tell the story of an economy that continues to move forward; one that has weathered uneven months, absorbed shocks, and once again demonstrated the durability of American work and American workers. Behind every data point is a person, a family, and a community choosing to build, to learn, and to keep going. That is the legacy of American strength, and it is the foundation on which the next chapter will be written.

“The American economy continues to evolve, bringing new challenges and opportunities,” adds Salazar. “������ý believes the path forward is the same path the holiday celebrates in spirit: shared effort, steady resolve, and the willingness to keep learning. Workforce development, the lifelong commitment to gaining and renewing skills, remains the most reliable engine of individual advancement and national strength,” he concludes.

On this Cinco de Mayo, ������ý extends its appreciation to its affiliates, partners, employers, educators, and, most of all, the participants whose determination drives the work forward. Their progress is America’s progress.

In observance of Women’s History Month 2026, ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates recognize the measurable and vital impact women have on the strength, resilience, and global competitiveness of the United States economy.

“Women are indispensable to the economic vitality of the United States,” said Ignacio Salazar, ������ý President and CEO. “From small business ownership to corporate leadership to skilled trades, women are strengthening our labor force and driving innovation. At SER, we witness firsthand how access to training and opportunity translates into measurable economic growth.”

Women represent nearly 47 percent of the U.S. labor force, with more than 77 million women active across every major sector of the economy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women are also leading. They own more than 12 million businesses nationwide, generating nearly $2 trillion in annual revenue. In corporate leadership, women now hold approximately one in four C-suite positions and nearly 30 percent of board seats among S&P 500 companies — the highest representation in history.

“When women gain the skills and credentials needed for today’s competitive economy, families become more secure, communities become more stable, and our nation becomes more competitive,” Salazar said. “Workforce development is one of the most powerful economic tools we have, and ensuring women have full access to that pipeline is both smart policy and sound economics.”

Through a national network serving more than 1 million program participants annually, ������ý and its affiliates provide workforce development, adult education, youth employment, and career placement services that expand economic mobility for women at every stage of life. These programs support women entering the workforce, transitioning careers, reentering after time away, or launching their own businesses.

Salazar adds that investing in women’s workforce participation is not symbolic. That investment is strategic. “While progress is evident, continued collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors is essential to sustain momentum,” he states. “Strengthening access to high-quality training programs, apprenticeships, digital skills, small business capital, and supportive services will ensure women can continue expanding their leadership across industries,” says Salazar.

������ý invites Americans to join in building a workforce culture rooted in performance, opportunity, and shared prosperity — one in which women’s contributions continue to power a stronger, more vibrant United States economy. For more information on ������ý’s programs and services, visit www.ser-national.org.

On Presidents Day, ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates join the nation in honoring the strength, leadership, and vision that have defined the United States across generations. From the country’s founding to the present day, these enduring values have been inseparable from freedom, self-determination, and the belief that opportunity should be earned through hard work, skill, and perseverance.

“For generations, Americans have taken pride in building, creating, and sustaining this nation through their own talents and labor,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and Chief Executive Officer of SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Presidents’ Day reminds us that leadership is not abstract. It is measured by how well we prepare people to stand on their own, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and to our country.”

Presidents’ Day serves as a reminder that America’s progress has always depended on leadership with vision that invests in people and equips them to meet the demands of a changing economy. Today, that responsibility is more relevant than ever. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70 percent of new jobs through the end of this decade will require education or training beyond a high school diploma, underscoring the critical role of workforce development in sustaining economic growth and individual self-sufficiency.

Each year, ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates serve more than one million individuals, delivering job training, education, and workforce pathways that translate ambition into measurable outcomes. These efforts reflect a core American ideal: that freedom is strengthened when people are empowered with skills, credentials, and opportunity.

“As we see ourselves in 2026, the message of Presidents Day is especially clear,” Salazar said. “Visionary leadership requires us to think beyond today and invest in the workforce of tomorrow. At SER, we see our work as part of that American mission, unlocking potential, advancing economic mobility, and helping individuals rise as far as their talent and determination can take them.”

From border to border and shore to shore, SER programs reinforce the connection between leadership, vision, and freedom by preparing individuals for in-demand careers that support a strong and competitive nation. This Presidents’ Day, ������ý calls on its staff, partners, and communities to recommit to excellence, accountability, and purpose in all that they do.

Presidents’ Day is not only a moment of reflection but also a call to action and a rededication to the values that have made the United States a nation of builders, innovators, and problem-solvers. “������ý remains committed to that mission, committed to being the best of the best in advancing opportunity, strengthening the workforce, and honoring the ideals that continue to define America,” concludes Salazar.

������ý observes Black History Month by reaffirming a core American truth: progress is built through work, skills, and opportunity, and the contributions of Black Americans and other communities of color have always shaped the economic strength of the United States. This annual observance is not only a moment to reflect on history, but to recognize how workforce development and job training continue to fuel innovation, productivity, and shared prosperity across the nation.

“Black History Month reminds us that America’s story is, at its core, a story of the work of people who labored, learned, persevered, and built pathways not only for themselves, but for generations that followed,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO of SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Workforce development is about honoring that legacy by ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to acquire skills, refine them, and apply them in ways that strengthen families, communities, and our country,” adds Salazar.

Black History Month acknowledges the generations of Black workers, entrepreneurs, educators, and public servants whose labor and leadership helped build the modern American economy. From manufacturing and transportation to healthcare, education, technology, and public service, Black Americans have been essential to the growth and resilience of the nation’s workforce. Today, that legacy continues. Their contributions are indispensable to America’s economic vitality and competitiveness.

“������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates exist to ensure that opportunity keeps pace with that reality,” says Salazar. “We affirm those words with clear actions. Each year, ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates serve more than one million participants through workforce development, job training, education, and skills-building programs that help individuals advance in their careers and help employers meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. This work reflects a long-standing belief that a strong work ethic, combined with access to training and opportunity, is the foundation of individual dignity, community stability, and national progress.”

The nation’s global economic standing depends on this commitment. As the United States competes in an increasingly interconnected world, innovation and productivity remain its greatest advantages. Investing in job training, credentialing, and lifelong learning is not optional; it is essential to maintaining America’s leadership in a competitive global economy.

Throughout Black History Month, ������ý stands with the SER Network of Affiliates, partners, and communities to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and to recommit to the principles that have long defined economic advancement in this country. By strengthening skills, expanding access to training, and honoring the contributions of all workers, America reinforces the foundation of its prosperity.

“At this moment of reflection and celebration, all Americans can come together to recognize that our strength comes from respecting and valuing each other’s contributions,” Salazar said. “When we do that, the future possibilities for our nation are limitless.”

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ������ý affirms that honoring Dr. King’s memory means advancing equal access to economic opportunity. Dr. King’s life’s work was rooted in the belief that justice, dignity, and broad access to employment are essential foundations of a thriving democracy.

“At ������ý, we believe economic empowerment is inseparable from Dr. King’s dream that every person has a fair chance to contribute and succeed,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO, SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Workforce development is not just about filling jobs — it’s about enabling individuals to live with purpose and to strengthen their communities.”

Across America, publicly supported job-training networks — including those funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act — empower individuals with skills that substantially improve their prospects for sustainable employment. Recent research shows that targeted training programs materially increase job placement rates and long-term earnings, demonstrating that structured workforce training contributes to both individual economic advancement and broader labor market resilience.

Across more than two dozen states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the SER Network of Affiliates equips underserved workers with the training, certifications, and employment resources needed to thrive in today’s economy. From pre-employment preparation and job readiness to sector-specific upskilling and career pathway advancement, these services translate aspiration into real economic mobility.

“Our commitment to job training underscores our belief that opportunity should be available to everyone, regardless of background,” Salazar said. “On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to build pathways to economic independence and personal fulfillment.”

By focusing on results-driven training outcomes and community-centered workforce strategies, ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates are expanding access to career opportunities and helping close persistent gaps in employment equity.

“Today, let us reclaim Dr. King’s call for unity and shared purpose,” Salazar said. “We must invest in people through training, apprenticeship, mentorship, and collaboration. We must build workforce paths that reflect America’s promise of equal opportunity. Let every American, from business leaders to civic partners, embrace the strength we gain by working together — forging not just jobs but dignity, prosperity, and hope for generations to come.”

“On behalf of ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates, we salute the more than 1 million program participants we have reached and served this year. They entered our doors at more than 200 locations across the country and in Puerto Rico, with high hopes and expectations of being uplifted and transformed. I proudly announce that we met their needs through our numerous training, education, and assistance services,” said Ignacio Salazar, President & Chief Executive Officer.

“The reports show that our program graduates are more robust, better equipped, and eager to progress or return to our nation’s workforce to sustain themselves and their families. From the country’s eastern shores to the Pacific, we have witnessed the most incredible reward people can experience: self-esteem. Their dignity and self-confidence soared when they received their certificate, diploma, or license and were recognized by family, friends, and employers. This experience was priceless,” adds Salazar.

“������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates will continue to remain focused on the mission of service within America’s local communities in 2026. We pledge to keep venturing out into neighborhood centers, churches, and civic associations to share our passion for reaching the historically underserved. Count on us to be on watch with our one-on-one attentiveness and caring for every individual we meet. These principles have set us apart for over 60 years, and with God’s blessing, we will prevail with servant hearts even in challenging times. May 2026 bring peace and prosperity to you, and may God continue to bless this great nation we call our home,” said Salazar.

“������ý respects that this is the time of year when we each observe the profound beauty of our individual faith and freedoms,” said Ignacio Salazar, President & Chief Executive Officer. “Yet, in our hurried modern lives, pausing to gift ourselves the time to reflect is challenging. There are many meaningful truths worthy of our time this holiday season. Among them are our individual God-given talents and how we can share these with others,” says Salazar.

Across the United States, trends show distinct regional differences in aptitudes and skill sets. For over 60 years, ������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates have celebrated the uniqueness of America’s workforce and tailored its programs to meet participants where they are.

“Today, America invites all persons to partake in the opportunity of self-improvement through education and training, not simply a privileged few,” says Salazar. Therefore, while some metrics may show other countries leading in digital performance, supply chain systems, or mobile development, the USA is the one place on earth where we each contribute to the larger whole without losing our individuality or the rewards of our personal striving. “I am honored to collaborate with a network of community-based organizations, the SER Network of Affiliates, dedicated and devoted to the power of life-changing transformation through training and workforce development. This is our greatest gift to share this holiday season, and we are blessed to do so with the full knowledge that our most significant rewards are still ahead,” says Salazar.

“One of life’s greatest joys is to see a child’s curiosity in action and how they use it to transform the ordinary into a magical experience they call play,” says Ignacio Salazar, ������ý President & CEO. “No matter how small or seemingly insignificant the object, place, or setting may be, children possess the innate gift of seeing that moment through their lens of imagination and discovery. As we grow up, the child in us gives way to the adult reality of constantly dealing with challenges, pressures, and expectations. Yet, Thanksgiving allows us to reflect, reset, and really ask ourselves, what are the things in my life that make me the happiest?” he adds.

“Americans often associate happiness with big, expensive material things. Yet the truth is that when we stop to remember the experiences that made us happiest growing up, those moments were not about money. They were times with family, good and not-so-good, but together, hopeful and striving to make life better. We yearn for those feelings, and Thanksgiving gives us a chance to reclaim that simplicity of gratitude and the expressions of love and appreciation for one another,” adds Salazar.

We are grateful to live in a bountiful nation, strengthened by the confluence of our gifts, skills, and experiences. We are also abundantly blessed because our founders foresaw times of trials and tribulations and created the framework for us to endure and prevail. At ������ý and our SER Network of Affiliates, we wish to express gratitude this Thanksgiving for the privilege of serving the millions and millions of men and women over our 62 years. They have affirmed the spiritual truth that there is more joy in giving than receiving.

“May we each seek to rediscover thankfulness for the simple and those gifts money cannot buy in life. We send our warmest regards and wishes for a safe, happy Thanksgiving; your hearts full of a child’s joy, and your homes filled with the laughter and love of friends and family. May God bless you,” Ignacio Salazar, ������ý President & CEO

Veterans rise at the passing of the red, white, and blue, their eyes glistening as they remember what they experienced and survived. They slowly bring their hands to their foreheads as they salute, and at that moment, time disappears.

“������ý and the SER Network of Affiliates have witnessed these brave, former service men and women in our midst throughout America and Puerto Rico,” says Ignacio Salazar, ������ý President and Chief Executive Officer. “Now, it is our turn to acknowledge and embrace our nation’s veterans. We can take action by ensuring veterans have access to civilian training and jobs that tap into their skills and experience,” adds Salazar.

Veterans bring unique experiences and perspectives to the workforce, which enrich our nation’s business landscape. Their ability to collaborate effectively, adapt to changing situations, and perform under pressure is invaluable in various industries. At ������ý, we are dedicated to training, hiring, and partnering with veteran-owned firms to harness these strengths and provide veterans with opportunities to succeed in their post-military careers.

This Veterans Day, let us unite as a nation to recognize the vital skills and talents veterans bring to America’s workforce. SER stands ready to continue supporting our veterans, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in their post-military careers. Through this shared commitment, we honor the promise we’ve made to our veterans and their families and acknowledge their invaluable contributions to our country’s economic vitality.

“Our combined centers across the country adapt to the needs of veterans in their local communities. Our goal is to align with other service providers to create a combined safety net that equips these men and women, who are often very motivated and ready to move forward into a productive civilian job, trade, or profession. On this Veterans Day, our entire team is proud and honored to work with and serve America’s former service members,” says Salazar.