Posted on 11/15/2011 2:57:22 PM PST by presidio9
First Lady Michelle Obama has a simple message for the country’s jobless veterans – “America has your back.”
Mrs. Obama spoke to a crowd of several hundred people Monday afternoon at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam about the importance of getting vets back into the workforce once their military careers are over.
“For a lot of folks making the transition to civilian life is hard, especially in the midst of a tough economy,” said the first lady.
According to figures by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average unemployment rate last year for vets who joined the military since September of 2001 was 11.5 percent, well above the current national jobless rate, which in October improved slightly to 9 percent.
Mrs. Obama spoke for about twelve minutes after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsored a job fair earlier in the day called Hiring Our Heroes.
About fifty-five employers took part in the job fair, which was expected to attract a crowd of about five hundred.
U.S. Navy veteran Dyan Jackson told Khon2 she’s currently unemployed, but was hoping to land a job with one of the companies at the event.
"It's pretty tough right now I think for everybody, but I keep faith though,” said Jackson. “I hope this will turn out to be a good thing for me.”
The job fair at the sprawling military base was the sixty-eighth held by the Chamber, which is planning one hundred such events nationwide. To date the Hiring Our Heroes campaign has helped more than 3,000 vets and military spouses land jobs, and has connected more than 55,000 veterans with more than 2,500 employers.
Mrs. Obama also touted a separate initiative called Joining Forces, which she and Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, launched in April. The campaign asks businesses to commit to hiring vets, and so far, has received more than 125,000 pledges.
“What we're doing through Joining Forces is rallying all of America to recognize and honor and support our veterans and military families,” said the first lady.
Obama also highlighted a web site called Veterans Job Bank that currently lists more than half a million job. The web site is powered by the National Resource Directory.
Right! Maybe, for those who managed (NO THANKS TO YOUR MORON HUSBAND) to make it back in one piece.
Too bad your clueless, Hate-America, Neo-Commie Dear Leader significant other (who has no respect or affinity for our Military Warriors) did/does not "Have their backs" while they are serving in harms way.
His inane and insane Rules of Engagement have (and continue) to jeopardize the safety of our Troops and have caused needless casualties.
Considering the Community Agitator in Least has NO intent on trying to "Win" it is probably time to consider bringing them all home, and NOW!!!
Another sad state of affairs is that before long (and for some it has already set in) is the Vets' realization (much the same as it came to pass for us Nam Vets) of the fact that all they sacrificed so much for....has been for naught.
All of the pain, suffering and losses for those who served in harms way will be seen simply as having been an exercise in futility as there was NEVER (even, sadly under Bush) ANY intent or attempt as "prevailing" i.e. achieving "Victory."
What a waste as once we cut and run and turn Iraq and Af-ghan back over to the "natives" they will revert to exactly what they were before we got involved--if not worse--(again thank you you CLUELESS, "Compassionate Conservative" dupe Bush for allowing those countries to form new Gov't with Islam being the "Controlling Authority") as they will end up being full-fledged Islamic Republics and may become our enemies as opposed to our allies.
As long as they vote the right way- Obama/Biden
otherwise the votes end up in the trash bin
The same America you were never proud of until they elected your husband? That America?
Why do people continue to show up to hear her?
“America has your back...but really, all this for a flag?”
An 11Bravo here, SoldierDad. It’s all in the plan, but first the commies, maoists, marxists, etc. need the military on their side.............or a significant portion! They’ve worked their way into every branch of government so far. And to think, at one time in America they were the enemy.
I’ll make it a point to watch my back.
Window dressing for a jobs bill, because who could say no to a jobs bill that effects a veteran? Waiting for the photo ops and weepy stories about “Random Injured Vet”, Obama puts hi arm around him, looks at the camera with a tear in his eye...you know the drill.
I had a male (the jury is still out) house guest last week who told me Zero cares sooo much for the people, he’s black (!), and he’s attractive. The house guest was able to leave on his own and I’m in line for sainthood.
When the military gets stabbed in the back, we know Barack and Michelle Obama will be standing behind us . . . twisting the knife they inserted.
Just how would she know that, Hussein never served.
My father served
My Brother served
My Husband served....
this family knows what Military Service means...SHE does NOT. She makes me physically ill.
America does, sure. Obama and his kind don’t.
I know what you mean. Between my father, myself, my brothers, and my children, we have served in the Army, Navy, USMC, and Air Force. I am disgusted by the occupants of our White House and disappointed beyond words with those who actually voted for a candidate so astonishingly unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief.
The good news is that Barack Obama stands behind our troops.
The bad news is he’s rolling on a condom.
I cannot stand them.
But boy she sure wants those four more years living like a queen. I mean...michele is all out full bore to help her hsb be viewed as pro-military.
Anything for the win-right michelle and barack?
Does spittle gather in you mouth when you have to demonstrate support to our military? We are watching you both. And your lack of understanding of the American spirit and will is only superseded by your arrogance and lush life, thrown in our faces daily.
I miss a real President. Who not only knows how to lead but knows how to lead by example. Enjoy Figi-you creepy porkers who know so well how to shove your noses into the trough provided by the people you degrade daily.
Officially proud? I recently received an email with a photo of Obozo, Mrs. Obozo, and some Arab looking man at a Veteran’s Day event in which neither Mrs. Obozo nor the Arab looking man had their hands over their hearts, while men and women in uniform were saluting the Flag. Mr. Obozo had his hand placed below his heart. This doesn’t appear to be a display of pride in being an American in my judgement.
I can’t believe it is possible for these pretenders to actually convince anyone who loves this country that they support our military, or love this country for that matter.
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