OAKLAND (KDKA)- Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland is a reminder of the service of the veterans from the Pittsburgh area.

On Tuesday, a special event was held to help area veterans, military personnel and their families.

For some veterans, they’ve served our country, only to come home and not have a job. Today’s event was  a chance for local veterans to explore hundreds of job opportunities.

It’s a way to give thanks to the veterans by way of a job.

The 2nd Annual Operation Troop Employment Job Fair and Expo welcomed veterans to hundreds of employment opportunities.

In all, there were 40 different companies at the expo. Available jobs ranged from engineering to medical to hospitality.

Opportunities weren’t just available for veterans, but for their families as well.

For Air Force veteran Belinda Flick, this was a good opportunity for her to find out what was out there.

“I was interested in how they were [going to] market for the veterans and what is out there for them,” Flick said. “I haven’t needed a job for a while, but I thought I’d branch out and see what else is out there.”

Steeler great and Army veteran Rocky Bleier was on hand to welcome the job seekers. He said the job fair is important because it lets veterans know that the community cares and wants to help.

“You do it because you want to serve our country. You do it because you feel a sense of duty. But yet, there’s an unfairness in some regards, because you come back and you don’t have a job or you’re in between,” Bleier said.

Former Marine Jack Bowie couldn’t agree more.

“Once you get home, you’re looking for an opportunity and this is the best way to start. Job fairs are the best way to start out,” Bowie said.

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