JCPenney Salutes Our Veterans

This Veterans Day, JCPenney would like to thank all active-duty and former service members for their selfless devotion to our country and the sacrifices they have made to protect the United States and our freedom.

The History

How exactly did Veterans Day get started? It dates back to 1919, when Nov. 11 was first declared Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson to mark the end of World War I. Congress then proclaimed that the holiday be celebrated annually beginning in 1926. As time went on, World War II veteran Raymund Weeks suggested the day expand to include all military veterans, not just those who served in World War I.

After Weeks organized petitions and unofficial ‘Veterans Day’ celebrations with resounding success, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the designation of Nov. 11 from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 and made it a federal holiday. Weeks became known as ‘the father of Veterans Day,’ creating the holiday we know today that recognizes all individuals who served in the United States Armed Forces.

Our Commitment to Veterans

JCPenney is honored to employ many active-duty and former service members in our stores, distribution centers, support centers, and the Home Office. In fact, our JCPenney associate family currently consists of 592 veterans, 514 military spouses, and 135 active reservists or National Guard members.

We continue to support our associates and military through career opportunities, our HEROES Business Resources Team (BRT), and a variety of other community partnerships. Over the last decade, JCPenney and our associates have partnered with local and national organizations dedicated to raising awareness and providing various forms of assistance to veterans and their families.

We’re proud of our long-standing history of supporting the military community, from active-duty service members and veterans to their families and caregivers. Through our Inclusion & Diversity policies and programs, we are committed to supporting this community and enabling them to bring their unique experiences and strengths to JCPenney.

JCPenney’s HEROES

Consider joining our HEROES BRT this Veterans Day to be part of a diverse network of active and former military personnel, first responders, and the associates who support them. HEROES provides a professional network dedicated to identifying organizational best practices, community outreach programs, and innovative ways that JCPenney can support our HEROES and their families as they rejoin civilian life.