SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A Springfield veteran is encouraging people to consider shopping at veteran-owned businesses this Veterans Day weekend. The serviceman created an online community for fellow veteran business owners, and those businesses who support veterans.
It started with Shawn Miller's 23 years in the U.S. Air Force.
"I was everywhere, I went from Honduras to Egypt to Germany to Kosovo through Iraq and Saudia Arabia, Kuwait — all that throughout my entire time," Miller told WAND News.
A few years after retiring, he launched a small business, Miller Mid-America Insurance Agency.
"I learned really quickly that there were no veteran Illinois groups on Facebook, that I could find, and entrepreneurship also. So what I did is I went on Facebook and I started learning what I could do for groups," Miller said.
He started a Facebook group for small businesses, owned by veterans, and those who support veterans.
"What it does is it brings our veterans and small businesses together at the same time," Miller explained.
The online community allows them swap advice, promote their products and create a community across Illinois.
"Everybody seems to wants to be a part of it, and join it and talk about it and support each other along the way. We're separated by a whole state, but it seems like everybody — no matter where they're at — will still communicate," Miller added.
While Miller is encouraging shoppers to spend their money at veteran-owned businesses this weekend, he also said it's important to thank those who served.
"You know we have veterans that came home and didn't even get thanked. Just pat them on the back, say thank you, that's all they're looking for," Miller said.
Click here to check out Miller's Facebook group.
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