Hiring Red, White & You! job fair held in Dallas to help veterans get hired

DALLAS - Unemployment benefits hit another pandemic low after jobless claims dropped by 14,000 last week, down to 269,000 in all.

That’s close to pre-pandemic levels of around 220,000 a week.

RELATED: US unemployment claims drop to 269,000, another pandemic low

Thursday, an event in Dallas focused on veterans looking to fill one of the many job openings out there.

In Texas, unemployment among veterans is a little more than 7%.

This is the 10th year of the Red, White, and You Texas Veterans and Workforce Commissions job fair, but the first time in two years it’s been in-person.

At the event, there was a feeling of excitement and a spirit of hope.

"We see a lot of young veterans who come back and go right to work, especially women vets. There’s great demand, but we do see a lot of people who've been home awhile who have not gotten back to work, the over 40," Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas President Laurie Larrea said.

There were 70 employers and 10,000 jobs to fill.

"Already have, in one hour, 16 prospects and we will be moving fast, as soon as they apply and we go through that process," said Carolos Morales, with Omni Dallas Hotel.

"Hopefully I'll get one, but it’s been hard," veteran Papa Jobe said.

Jobe is hoping this makes it easier for him. After serving in Iraq, he got his college degree through the G.I. Bill, but no job.

"I don’t know why it’s been hard to find a job, but I’ve been applying for jobs for like a long time," he said.

Raymond Plasek, 64, served a generation ago, but needs full-time employment now.

"I want to work. I have to work. I have a problem at my house, we have a terminal illness, and this is the second time around with it, and we've already gone through all our savings," he said.

Plasek said, despite companies complaining they can't find people to work, he's not getting calls back.

"Very hopeful. I'm looking for it. I'm doing part-time jobs, three at a time. It’s kind of hard to juggle some days, but I keep plugging alone," he added.

"I had original plans before coming here. Unfortunately, they all fell down on the ground," veteran Roberto Guerrero said.

Guerrero moved from Minnesota to North Texas six months ago. The job he came for fell through, so he's seeking a new job.

"My original background is operations, and training management, and information technology, but if I find anything close to that, then hey, the more the merrier. Opportunities always merry here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area," he said.

The stories of how the veterans got here are as varied as their military service.

While that chapter is now closed, these vets are hoping to open another chapter.