On Monday, May 29, people across the United States will observe Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day. The federal holiday honoring those who have served in the military has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the aftermath of the Civil War.
The first Memorial Day was observed on May 30, 1868. It was established by General John A. Logan, the leader of an organization of Union Army veterans, as a day to honor comrades who died in defense of their country. General Logan led a group of Union veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. The observance quickly spread to other parts of the country, and by the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day had become a national holiday.
Over time, Memorial Day has become more than just a day for decorating graves. It has become a day for honoring all those who have served in the military, as well as their families. Many communities hold parades and ceremonies to honor veterans, and the American flag is often flown at half-staff in their memory.
Many organizations, such as AMVETS, work to support veterans year-round. AMVETS, which stands for American Veterans, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to veterans and their families. Unfortunately, like many other organizations, AMVETS is a common victim of employee theft.
In 2018, an AMVETS employee in Maryland was arrested for stealing more than $100,000 from the organization. The employee had been embezzling funds for over two years, using the money to pay personal expenses such as rent and car payments. Recently, an AMVETS employee in Ohio was sentenced to 90 days in prison and ordered to pay $78,000 in restitution as a result of his misappropriation from the organization.
When an organization like AMVETS is victimized by employee theft, it can be especially devastating. AMVETS relies on donations and fundraising events. When funds are stolen, it can limit the organization’s ability to provide the services and programs that veterans rely on and erode the trust of financial donors.
Non-profit organizations, like AMVETS, are often caught off guard by employee theft. After all, their mission is to do good for others, not to take from others. To prevent employee theft, non-profit organizations must implement strong internal controls and policies. This includes separating financial duties, conducting regular audits, and requiring two signatures on checks and other financial transactions. They can also implement employee training programs to educate staff members and volunteers on the importance of ethical behavior and the consequences of employee theft.
By taking these steps, an organization like AMVETS can reduce the risk of employee theft and continue to provide the services and programs that are so important to veterans and their families. With Memorial Day approaching, it’s important to remember to give tribute to those veterans and their sacrifices. SDC solemnly celebrates and honors the veterans past and present who have served our country. Memorial Day is much more than just the unofficial start of summer and a picnic.
