Fewer Employers for Veterans Job Fair | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Fresno, CA Fresno's Lester Griffin served our country during the Vietnam War decades ago. Now the recent college graduate spends 3-4 hours a day on the computer, looking for a job. "On average, I post 30 to 35 resumes a month, across the U.S," said Griffin. Griffin just earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and wants to get in the medical field.

He's returning to the workforce, just like thousands of new veterans who will soon be returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As they join the millions of other unemployed Americans, a local valley organization is trying to help. "They're back home and we want to treat our heroes the way they deserve to be treated," said Fresno County Veterans Employment Committee volunteer Feleena Sutton.

The organization is planning their annual veterans job fair for May 8th at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, but this year, as companies continue to downsize, members are having trouble recruiting enough employers to participate. "In previous years we've had about 60 employers that are on hand. We're only at roughly half of that right now," said Sutton.

Sutton is now trying to encourage employers to take part, even if they only have one job to fill. She says veterans like Griffin make excellent employees because of the discipline they've learned in the service.

As Griffin looks for a job, he's also working on a master's degree and holding on to hope. "I haven't given up yet. Someone out there will, one day," said Griffin.