'Hiring Our Heroes' hits New Jersey

Veterans, active-duty military and their family members are invited to attend a free-of-charge job fair Saturday at George P. Vanderveer Post 129 in Tom's River, N.J. The event is part of the Hiring Our Heroes series, a joint effort of The American Legion and U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help employe military members. The two organizations host free job fairs at Legion posts around the country that feature representatives from companies accepting résumés, job counselors and networking opportunities.

The event at Post 129 in Tom's River will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will feature companies such as Verizon, New Jersey State Parole Board, New Jersey Transit, Lowe's, New York Life Insurance, Sears and Hertz. Rep. Jon Runyan , R - N.J., will speak, and the local NBC affiliate will stream the fair live.

No pre-registration is necessary. Veterans and military members can simply arrive at Post 129 and be admitted. Breakfast will also be served.

"We've removed the registration requirement," Post 129 Commander Rich Gato said. "It's about helping people. Some of these guys aren't going to have jobs, so it's not like they are going to have fax machines or computers."

The Chamber of Commerce will provide job counselors and other career tips at the event. The formula has been a resounding success in the past, as nearly 200 veterans gained employment at the inaugural Hiring Our Heroes event in Chicago in March. Another job fair brought more than 60 employers to Minneapolis during the Legion's August national convention.

"It's not about pomp and circumstances; it's about getting these guys jobs," Gato said.

The American Legion Post 1292025 Church RoadToms River, N.J.