Kamara Pettiford served five tours of duty with the US Army in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. She’s bright, personable and attractive, served her country for seven years and has been out of work since May.

One issue is her lack of a college diploma. “It’s hard to get a degree with multiple deployments …” she told me. “Everytime you get started in class you get called up again.”

Kamara is working with the NY State Department of Labor to get tuition assistance and go back to school to pursue a career in criminal justice. She’s also working with a Veteran’s counselor to find work near her Brooklyn home in the interim.

Kamara is one of thousands of veterans showing up at the USS Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum in New York City for the Operation HIRE Veterans Career Fair.

More than 75 employers have more then 2000 positions to fill. Many of the jobs are entry level. Some of the prospective employers include the NY State Police, FBI, Amtrak, Coca Cola, Pepsi and Fed-Ex. Wayne Packer from Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores is looking to fill dozens of positions.

Wayne and others say those who’ve served make excellent employees, but nearly 15% of the state’s Vets are out of work, a stat this job fair hopes to adjust downward.

Tamara says this is the first time she’s been unemployed since she was 15. “It’s frustrating at times” she told a group arriving for the event “but I’ve sacrificed too mich during my time in the military to give up hope.”

I have the privilege of spending Veterans Day in a place where it carries special meaning this year. Last week, a gunman stationed at Ft. Hood in central Texas, started shooting and killed 13 people. Twelve of the victims were members of the military. At a time when soldiers risk their lives every day in Afghanistan and Iraq, they certainly don’t expect to risk their lives once they make it safely home. As the investigation continues, and the wounds of the injured begin to heal, the family of those killed will begin to bury their dead. Their sacrifice is a world apart. Even though they were not killed on the battlefield, in the end they were killed because they had a commitment to serving their country. No one but soldiers and those serving soldiers were killed or wounded that day.

Today at a press conference, three soldiers wounded during the attack were in front of the cameras. They are part of a unit who lost three people in the shooting. I can only begin to imagine the pain they and their families are experiencing. They will deploy to Afghanistan before the year is out.

By FNC Anchor Trace Gallagher

In the hustle bustle of daily life, it’s sometimes easy to forget just how blessed we are as Americans.We are free to say what WE want, do as WE  please, believe as WE choose. But the only reason we are allowed to live our lives freely is because someone chose to freely give up their life.  Not because they didn’t want to live, but because they wanted their children and ours to live better.  For two hundred plus years they have ridden away, sailed away and flown away. Leaving behind sons, daughters, wives and husbands. When they didn’t come home their families were never the same, and when they did come home their families were never the same.  So remember that Veteran’s day should be as important for those of us who did not serve, as for those who did.  Because it gives us a chance to say thank you.

Happy Veterans Day and thank you.

By FNC Reporter Shannon Bream

He was an 18 year old looking for purpose when Ed DePuy decided to join the United States Marine Corps back in 1964.  It was a time when many young men faced the reality of either joining the military or being drafted.  My father opted to go voluntarily and says becoming a Marine was a “life-changing experience” that had a dramatic impact on him.  After boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina, he was trained on the AMTRAK – an amphibious assault tractor – that transports troops ashore from ships.  For six years my father remained in the reserves and reported once a month to find out whether he’d be deployed to Vietnam, as the War there intensified.  He remembers each time there would be lawyers present to help soldiers draft their last wills and testaments, and medical staff on hand to give shots to those selected to head overseas.  While he was never tapped to go to the frontlines, I have no doubt my dad would have gone without hesitation.   He wrapped up his service in the Marine Corp in December 1970, just weeks before I was born.  Today, on Veterans Day I asked him to sum it up and he said, “I’m really proud I served my country.”

My other favorite veteran happens to be my stepfather, Jasper Norris.  He’s a United States Navy man who joined up back in 1956.  He had classmates who had served in the Korean War and says he was impressed when they returned with their sharp uniforms and interesting tales.  The Navy gave my stepdad the chance to serve on aircraft carriers around the world, and to train for his future profession owning a laboratory where dentures and all manner of dental prosthetics are made.  During his time in the Navy, my stepdad served as a boat coxswain and eventually a medic.  He told me, “The Navy provides young men and women the perfect way to get an education and to make something of their lives.”  My stepdad talks about his time in service with real affection for the opportunities and discipline it gave him.   He finished his service in 1961, and despite the sometimes tough challenges, his overall memory is, “I really enjoyed it.”

I’m proud I grew up in a family where military service is the norm.  In fact, my brother Eddy now services as an active duty Navy pilot.  I’ll refer to him as my favorite FUTURE Veteran.  What I’ve learned from these three men is that there is great honor in serving our country.  It takes equal parts bravery and selflessness.  Each time I pass the Vietnam Veterans Memorial here in Washington, D.C., I remember that the names of men my dad and stepdad knew and served with are inscribed there.  To all our Veterans who are still with us, whether they saw combat or worked endlessly to support those who did, I say THANK YOU.

This Veterans Day I am grateful to work for a network that truly appreciates the sacrifice each and everyone of our men and women in uniform and their families make for this country. I have been so privileged to meet and get to know many military members and to see through their eyes what challenges we face against terror in the world. Without the deployments, now lasting longer and being repeated for so many military members, we could not truly be safe on American soil. They tell me this again and again, and I believe them.

But what becomes of the soldier that serves day in and day out when involved in an engagement when they return home? Sure on day one there are hugs and thanks and ceremonies celebrating a homecoming but then reality sets in and it sets in fast. Bills, kids, long distance relationships sometimes not strong enough to last and then the issue of employment. What are returning troops to do?

Today, I am at Volt Information Sciences a temporary staffing company that employs tens of thousands of folks in jobs with companies by matching their skills to open assignments.  Its CEO Steven Shaw tells me the military provides training and dedication and motivation beyond what any school can and that is why former military – in this case – Army reservists are in demand. Volt is one of 750 private sector employers that have signed on to the Army Reserve Employer Partnership a program that links employers with jobs to reservists who are given interviews through the Army Reserve website.

Those brave enough to fight for our freedom in our all volunteer Army deserve at least that and more. The employers I have spoken to that are part of this program agree with me on that and they are doing something honorable about it.

I am really happy that we are doing this story today and bringing added attention to what we can do for our veterans on Veterans Day. Our story last week on the civilian jobs available to anyone looking for work and the chance to be a part of the world’s greatest fighting force also will hopefully help many of you find employment.

For more on the Army Reserve Employer Partnership – if you are a Reservist looking for a job or an employer who has one to offer – go to www.armyreserve.army.mil and go to the Employer Partnership tab to see jobs available. And keep it on Fox News Channel for more military stories and the latest headlines!

Fox News Channel is “On the Job Hunt”!  Getting you the facts that will get you back in business! Every night, go On the Job Hunt on the Fox Report!  Weeknights at 7pm.