SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -
These American heroes are in line and ready to work.
"I worked full time for the guard for five, six months, but recently did not get rehired because of budget cuts," said Richard Sugai, a veteran.
Thursday, Vermont veterans filled the Chamber of Commerce Career Fair in South Burlington with hopes of landing a job.
"All military have leadership skills from the time that you come in," said Shelly Jeffrey, a veteran.
Richard Sugai's been looking for full-time employment for a month.
"I kind of think it is kind of disturbing to see this many people in one location looking for a job in such a small area," he said. "But on the flip side it is kind of relieving to see someone else in my position."
Census numbers show up to 1,350 veterans are jobless in Vermont.
"When you take someone and deploy them overseas, you're essentially changing their lives and taking them away from their families and in many cases you're taking them away from their jobs. And we want to make sure we make that transition back home as smooth as possible," said Brig. Gen. Jonathan Farnham of the Vermont National Guard.
Roughly 40 employers were on hand offering interviews and applications; between them they had more than 150 jobs up for grabs.
"We've seen some very good people and we will be doing some hiring," said Tracy Burns of Revision Military.
These men and women have traded in their uniforms for business suits and say it's time to get started.
"I am a Boy Scout leader, I am a Girl Scout leader, I am a mom of three, I home-schooled, I am able to train, I am able to speak in groups," Jeffrey said.
"I am a leader of folks, I am a manager; it's maybe what I can contribute to the civilian world or somewhere else," Sugai said.
Skills these veterans hope will set them apart in their fight to get back on the job.
Richard Sugai says his interviews went well at the job fair and now he's hoping for good news.
