The Christian County Chamber of Commerce is participating in one of three panel discussions during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Jobs Summit & Career Forum at Fort Campbell this Wednesday. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are also scheduled to speak at the event.
More than 1,000 services members and military spouses and over 100 employers will be present at the forum.
Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Marian Mason says they plan to use this time to highlight the Chamber's work and goals in the Hiring Our Heroes program.
"Hiring Our Heroes is a U.S. Chamber of Commerce-led initiative that really helps transition our veterans to the workforce once they finish with their military service," said Mason. "They are reaching out to their local chambers, namely us in this area, to help champion that cause and we are getting onboard with that in participating in this summit."
Mason says the chamber has designated Jack Smith, a veteran and incoming Military Affairs Chairman.
"Jack works for Walmart Distribution here in Christian County, and is veteran himself of the 101st Airborne," said Mason. "He's hired hundreds of veterans himself so he really understands the importance of finding these veterans work."
Other speakers attending the event include the White House's Joining Forces Initiative, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Army's Fort Campbell, Army Career and Alumni Program, Soldiers for Life, and Installation Management Command, local government agencies and community leaders.
The panel and career fair takes places this Wednesday, April 23rd from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Fort Campbell.