Maurice Thomas served sixteen years in the Marines before circling back to his South Carolina roots. Thomas spoke with Savannah River Site contractors and other employers about job opportunities for veterans Tuesday at USC Aiken.
"It's been nice. I wasn't prepared to see all of the employers and displays, but it's going pretty well," Thomas said.
Tuesday marked U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's third annual Veterans Fair. The South Carolina Republican said the fair is meant to place veterans, employers and agencies that handle benefits together to better connect veterans with available resources and hopefully find jobs.
While Thomas took advantage of the opportunity, Ralph Wainwright, the director of American Legion Post 71, explained that his organization and several others have been listening to veterans' concerns for years. Thomas explained that veterans are looking for access to employment so that they can continue serving their communities and nation.
"It's hard for them to find jobs," Thomas explained. "And that's what's great about the fair. It gives them the opportunity to come to one spot and hit multiple vendors and at least take that first step and apply."
Employers present at the fair included Wal-Mart, Savannah River Remediation, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, MTU, Walgreens and several others. In addition, agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration were on hand to talk to veterans.
Frank Anderson, lender relations specialist for the administration, said that as a part of the federal government, the organization's job is to help people who are looking to be entrepreneurs and run small businesses. That initiative is high among veterans, according to Anderson.
"We also have resource offices that provide mentorship and we have a basis to help veterans start businesses," Anderson said. "We teach free classes and have a loan program for veterans too. So we have a great mission there."
Rep. Wilson said he is a veteran himself after serving in the Army Reserve and the South Carolina Army National Guard. Additionally, he has four sons serving in military.
"As part of my service, we have had the opportunity to have these job fairs to show our appreciation of veterans," Wilson said. "I'm very grateful for all they have done for this country."
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.