The Hire America's Heroes Career Fair at Century Link Field was a great success in connecting over 1,000 veteran job seekers with 40 employers. Veterans received assistance from the Joint Services Support Employment Transition Coaches to perfect resumes and prepare for interviews. In addition to employers, the career fair provided presentations and activities on topics like the Transition Assistance Program. Over 140 active duty, reserve, and Guard members received transportation to the event in hopes of finding career opportunities. Support for veterans was shown through appearances by military and government leaders as well as Seattle Seahawks players.

1. JOINT SERVICES SUPPORT, J9 DIRECTORATE
Great Success at Hire America’s Heroes Career Fair
By Gary Lott
The stands in Century Link Field may have been empty but the halls were filled
with a roar from job-seeking veterans. With the large number of soldiers returning
from Iraq and Afghanistan, focus on Veteran employment for Washington State
service members is at an all time high.
Last Friday, Century Link Field played host to the Hire America’s Heroes Career
Fair, which saw over 1,000 attendees, most of whom were veterans.
More than 40 employers, including Boeing, Comcast, Amazon, Microsoft were
present and the Washington National Guard Veterans worked with the Joint
Services Support(JSS) Employment Transition Coaches prior to attending to perfect
their resumes and prepare for interviews.
In addition to employers, the Career Fair also held numerous presentations,
activities and exhibitors on topics ranging from the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP) to careers in operations, logistics and customer service.
Over 140 Active Duty, Reserves and Guardsmen received free
transportation from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Century Link
Field in hopes of finding a career.
While at the Career Fair Army members held a noon-time rally
standing in formation while Liberty High School NJROTC
Color Guard students presented the colors. These service
members asked onlookers to join along while they sang the
official song of The United States Army, “The Army Goes
Rolling Along.”
Big names like State Command Sergeant Major of the
Washington National Guard, Bob Sweeney, John Lee the
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director and visiting from Washington D.C., Junior Ortiz the Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) all
made their presence known in supporting Washington State’s veterans.
The Seattle Seahawks showed their support for America’s Heroes with offensive
guard, John Moffitt and UW alumnus and Seahawk cornerback, Roy Lewis
speaking and signing autographs during the ceremony.
Although many Soldiers are returning from the war to an unclear future, one thing
is certain; their community is ready to help with the difficult transition they face.
This article is being presented by the WA National Guard Joint Services Support Directorate
benefiting Soldiers, Airmen, Veterans and their Families.