Veterans United Home Loans and Hire Heroes USA are teaming up to spotlight the epidemic of veteran unemployment as Veterans United sponsors the #32 Ford driven by Mike Bliss during NASCAR’s Kobalt Tools 500 on November 13th at Phoenix International Raceway. Veterans United, a company that helps veterans use their VA benefits to buy or refinance homes, will showcase the Hire Heroes USA logo on the #32 car owned by Frank Stoddard’s FAS Lane Racing to raise awareness and support for this impactful organization, which provides transition assistance and job placement services for returning veterans and transitioning military personnel. The unemployment rate for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan was 11.7% in September, significantly higher than the nation’s overall jobless rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Former members of our Armed Forces are having trouble achieving the American Dream they fought to preserve.
To help put a face to this alarming trend, Veterans United will send Marine Corps veteran Ryan Baer to Phoenix to enjoy Veterans Day race weekend and watch the Sprint Cup Series race from atop the FAS Lane Racing pit box. A decorated Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and MBA candidate, Ryan will graduate this winter into an uncertain job market. Ryan, who is currently being coached through Hire Heroes USA’s veteran employment program, will have the chance to network with business executives and employers throughout the weekend. “We hope our continued partnership with Hire Heroes USA raises awareness of the significant employment problems facing our returning service members, who have sacrificed so much,” said Nathan Long, CEO of Veterans United, the nation’s leading dedicated VA lender.(Integrity Sports Marketing/FAS Lane Racing)(11-8-2011)
