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U.S. Chamber of Commerce helping veterans return to work

CLOVIS, N.M. - Finding a job can be tough in this economy and even tougher for war veterans returning home. 

Monday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service partnered to host a "Hiring Our Heroes" job fair. 

According to the Chamber of Commerce, since the program launched in 2011, more than 200 hiring fairs have been held nationwide.

The fair travels across the nation to both big and small cities, helping veterans secure jobs.

With Clovis being home to hundreds of war vets and the Cannon Air Force Base, Monday's fair will hopefully open up a window of opportunities for employment.

"We've got high tech jobs here," Ernie Lombardi with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said. "We have a plumbing contractor and U.S. Geological survey company too."

The New Mexico State Police Department and Curry County Jail are also looking to fill positions. 

About 50 job seekers, including Bob Vilandry attended the event.

"I need a regular pay check," he said.

Volandry says he spent 15 years in the U.S. Air Force before returning home to Clovis in 1995.

He says he had a job until a few months ago before being laid off.

"The advantage of hiring a military veteran is that they bring a lot of skill sets to the table," Lombardi added."

The Chamber of Commerce says they hope to find jobs for 500,000 veterans and military spouses by 2014.