The long road home

Group needs input from business about resources for returning veterans

BY MEGAN PATRICK-VAUGHN of the VBJ

In August, about 3,000 soldiers will return to Washington from Iraq and Afghanistan - about 150 of them coming home to Clark County.

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A Veterans Task Force, made up of government, education, workforce and health professionals, is in the midst of preparing for the influx in this time of limited opportunities for jobs.

The J-9 Warrior, Veteran and Family Readiness and Support Services out of Camp Murray in Tacoma is providing in-depth support for the returning National Guard veterans and is trying to pull together a list of businesses that promote veterans.

To help, there is a $2,400 tax credit for businesses that hire veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom.

J-9 is looking for companies willing to hire appropriately skilled veterans. Once the names are secured, they will be included in promotional advertising and, likely, be provided at post deployment events, which include career assistance information, scheduled in Centralia and Longview. 

Interested businesses can contact Morgan Zantua of J-9 Career and Employment Services at 253-512-8540. J-9 is working with the trades, and some veterans will return with transferable skills.

They also may contact Scott Lambie, veterans outreach employment specialist at WorkSource, at 360-578-4231.

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