The event
asks employers to step up for veterans. Many business owners say they do
support military men and women, especially those who've been wounded and
disabled. But the wounded warrior conference is asking for more than support.
It wants to see employers hire wounded veterans.
George Byrd, Regional Wounded Warrior Coordinator and SPAWAR
Wounded Warrior Program Manager, told KPBS that the unemployment rate for
veterans in San Diego is about 16 percent, double the national unemployment
rate.
Crystal May Pelham, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served in Iraq
for more than three years as a heavy machinery diesel mechanic. She fell 9 feet
while on duty and required several surgeries to be able to walk again. She said
after returning home, it was almost impossible to find a job.
"I went from job fair to job fair, I asked questions and
all I got was, 'sorry we can't help you,'" she said. "You can only
attend so many job fairs before you just want to get up."
But next week's conference hopes to be different. It is free for
wounded warriors, and event organizers say businesses including Northrop
Grumman Corporation, Bank of America and Raytheon Company as well as Navy
commands and the federal government agencies will host booths and accept
resumes. Veteran support organizations will also host booths.
"Since last year's conference, the Department of the Navy
has hired 9,478 veterans to include 1,647 returning service members with 30
percent or higher disability ratings," said Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Juan Garcia. "We are committed to
increasing this number through various initiatives."
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