Hiring Our Heroes

Senior Airman Alfonzsa Jackson of the 127th Maintenance Squadron speaks with Trooper Walter Crider of the Michigan State Police during the Hiring Our Heroes job fair at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., May. 18, 2013. Jackson, a six year member of the Air National Guard and recently a member of the 127th MXS Aerospace Ground Equipment crew, attended the job fair to explore possible career opportunities in law enforcement. More than 300 were in attendance visiting with representatives of more than 50 employers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)

Hiring Our Heroes

More than 300 veterans, military and family members attended the Hiring Our Heroes job fair at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., May 18, 2013. During the fair, the attendees were able to visit with representatives from more than 50 employers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)

Hiring Our Heroes

Airman 1st Class Onnie Mcspadden of the 127th Aircraft Metals Tech speaks with a representative of the U.S. Border Patrol during the Hiring Our Heroes job fair at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., May 18, 2013. Mcspadden, recently returned from his technical school, attended the job fair to explore possible career opportunities in law enforcement. More than 300 job seekers attended the fair at Selfridge, visiting with representatives from more than 53 employers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by TSgt. David Kujawa

Hundreds Attend Selfridge Job Fair

Published May 20, 2013
By SSgt. Samara Taylor
127th WIng Public Affairs

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- More than 300 veterans and currently8 serving military personnel attended the second annual Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) job fair at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on May 18. More than 50 employers were at the fair seeking potential new hires.

HOH is a program developed by the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans and their spouses gain meaningful employment.

"It is very important to create meaningful employment, we are committed to the next chapter of their careers to create job opportunities the unemployment rate is too high these events help create employment opportunities for our veterans," said Jennifer Giering, HOH Director of Small Business Engagement.

Currently the Michigan Army National Guard has a 20 percent unemployment rate and the state's Air National Guard has a 6 percent unemployment rate, said 127th Wing Command Chief MSgt. Bob Dobson.

Grace Shore, CEO of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, attended the Selfridge HOH and thought the event was important. She said she knows that the employers are looking specifically for military trained individuals because of their discipline, training and their willingness to work hard.

One of the more than 50 employers in attendance was Bruce Friemark, coordinator of the Michigan Wounded veterans internship program, which provides opportunities to veterans who have 10 percent or higher service connected disability

"I want to put vets to work," he said.

As a veteran himself, Friemark said he is in a good position to give back to the veterans and their families.

Airman 1st Class Jhontez Peoples, a crew chief with the 127th Wing, was among those attended the fair. He said he is currently a student and is seeking employment. He said the fair was a great opportunity and beneficial for Wing members.

Master Sgt. Heather Briggs of the 127th Civil Engineer Squadron brought her Son Kyle and daughter Kourtnie to the fair. They are both looking for job opportunities.

"The event was fabulous," Briggs said. "It gives a means of opportunity to network to find positions within the local area."

Master Sgt. Al Hight of the 127th Wing Retention Office was the event coordinator. He said he was very pleased with the event and thought it was a great opportunity to provide employment to the service members and their families.