"As War Ends, Young Veterans Return to Scant Jobs"

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/business/for-youngest-veterans-the-bleakest-of-job-prospects.html?hp




     This article discusses the problem of veterans having little opportunity to get jobs in the United States.  The author, Shaila Dewan, wrote about Cpl. Clayton Rhoden who earned "$2,500 a month jumping into helicopters to chase down improvised explosive devices or check out suspected bomb factories".  Despite the fact that he is risked his life, Rhoden is now living with his parents, sells his blood plasma for $80 a week, and works whatever extra duties he can get for his Marine Corps Unit.  Although, Rhoden is just one of so many veterans that can't find a steady job and the future looks bleak.  The joblessness is concentrated among the young and those that are still serving in the National Guard or the reserve.  According to the article "The unemployment rate for veterans aged 20 to 24 has averaged 30 percent this year, more than double that of others the same age, though the rate for older veterans closely matches that of civilians.  Personally, I feel that veterans should have priority over regular citizens f the US since they have directly served the country, sacrificing their time, and risking their lives.
    Dewan appeals to ethos by suggesting that, as Americans, we should be more respectful to veterans and provide them with more benefits than they have as of right now.  She hopes to persuade her readers that veterans have given a lot more to their country than the normal citizen.  She appeals to pathos by making the reader feel bad for the 30 percent of veterans who are not employed.  She hopes that we will act on her emotional appeals.  I am sure this article would be even more emotional for those that know or are related to an unemployed veteran.  I know we won't completely solve this problem, but I hope that we will lower the percentage of veterans that are jobless.