Event seeks to match vets to jobs

I’m weary of the campaign chaos this election season.

But regardless of how you feel about the nastiness we’ve seen in Newport/Costa Mesa this go around, voting is a freedom to be grateful for and one to be taken seriously.

It’s a freedom many around the world don’t have, yet continue to fight for.

But voting, along with other freedoms we enjoy, came at a high price throughout our history.

So it’s only fitting this Veterans Day., Nov. 11, we honor the sacrifices of those who’ve served proudly in our military to insure those freedoms with an event at the O.C. Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, in Costa Mesa.

The “Veterans + Labor” event, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free, as is the parking, if you enter through Gate 3 or 4.

This is the fourth year Southern California labor unions have organized this Veteran’s Day celebration inviting veterans, their families and the entire community to celebrate our nation’s heroes.

But they’re doing more than just throwing a one-day party. Throughout the year they’re addressing another important issue: jobs, as statistics show the unemployment rate for returning veterans is over 10%.

“We need policies that support good, family supporting union jobs for veterans. Building off the wonderful work that’s been done through Helmets to Hard Hats and other regional programs, we’re developing a set of policy principles that will help veterans find a path to good jobs that utilize their skills and training,” states the site veteransandlabor.com/goodjobs.

The seven-point policy addresses the diverse veteran population as they work to create jobs, matching returning vets training and skills, protecting jobs guaranteeing they’ll be there when they return from active duty, streamlining job and housing services, and ensuring veterans receive the benefits to which they’re entitled.

The “Veterans + Labor” event last year drew over 10,000 people, and organizers hope to top that number as the public gets its first look at the new Heroes Hall Veterans Museum at the fairgrounds.

There will also be military vehicles and gear on display, as well as live music from the Swing Cats, a 10-piece band. Kids can make thank you cards for veterans, and at 11:30 a.m., there will be the West Coast unveiling of the U.S. Postal Service “Distinguished Medal” postage stamp.

Union members, community groups and veterans’ organizations will be on site to provide resources to veterans, including information about jobs, health insurance benefits, counseling, college and legal assistance, health screenings and free clothing.

They are also holding a food drive, and attendees are urged to donate non-perishable food items. Last year, the drive collected two tons of food.

The dedication ceremony for Heroes Hall will commence at 1 p.m. Veterans will be available to discuss the importance of preserving their experiences for future generations, as the museum will be an interactive space where the stories of our military can be curated and shared.

Heroes Hall is a project both my husband, OC Fair Board member Stan Tkaczyk, and I strongly support. I sit on the non-profit’s foundation board along with foundation President/and new OC Fair Board Chairman Nick Berardino, Lezlee Neebe, Doug La Belle, Doug Applegate, David Brahms, Carina Franck-Pantone, Pat Lavin, Bobby McDonald, Darrell Miller, Julio Perez, Aaron Read and Eric Spitz.

Berardino, a Vietnam veteran, has been the driving force behind the museum project currently under construction and slated to open early 2017.

With more than 3,600 square feet of exhibition space, along with a veterans’ memorial courtyard, garden and outdoor mini-amphitheater, this museum will honor O.C. veterans of all wars and will be instrumental in educating over 100,000 K-12 students each year about the county’s rich military history.

“One of the greatest lessons to teach our children about commitment and sacrifice in life can be told through the stories of our veterans,” says Franck-Pantone.

Last year, Franck-Pantone and I were instrumental in starting the museum’s first support guild, The Super Heroes Guild, which had its first fund-raising event a Halloween Costume Gala Oct. 22, raising about $30,000.

The guild will have a booth at the Veterans Day celebration, and I’ll be there signing up new members. Stop by, say hi, and join.

Membership donations will be used to fund ongoing operational exhibitions and educational programs, as well insuring the museum’s admission remains free.

“With Heroes Hall, finally veterans will have a ‘home’ for our stories to be told and passed down in one of the most imaginative and interactive ways possible,” says McDonald, a Vietnam War veteran (Navy), and chairman of the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council.

This past year the foundation raised over $300,000 for Heroes Hall and will continue those efforts so generations never forget “freedom isn’t free,” says Berardino.

BARBARA VENEZIA lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com.