Career Fair better than expected
(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2022)
Diana Juracka, a member of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce's Veterans Business Council, offers feedback on Jason Desrosier's resume.
The first career fair at the Field House of the Naval Support Activity Base in Saratoga Springs was stronger than expected, officials said on Friday March 25.
The event ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and about 100 people had arrived by noon. People were lined up outside the venue and were handing out resumes and talking to the business representatives as the representatives were still unfolding tables and putting out free swag.
About 40 companies from small nonprofits to publicly-traded companies spoke to veterans, their immediate family members and to active-military personnel who will be making the transition to civilian life soon. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce which helped organize the event also had members of the chamber’s Veterans Business Council on hand to help with resumes and interviewing skills.
“We’re looking to do this at least annually,” said the base’s Commanding Officer Raymond Gamicchia. He said the great idea behind an in-person event is that the application can be personal, not typed into a computer which only looks for keywords in a resume. “It gives the employer the opportunity to understand who they’re dealing with.”
[Read more about the career fair here.]
Many of the employers cited the general belief that veterans are disciplined and have the right work ethic after years in the military.
Although many employers were looking for people in skilled trades such as plumbing and electrical work, and others sought technicians who can test circuitry, others were looking to fill management positions.
Gold Star Mothers to hold Lake George Convention, public memorial service
The Town of Lake George awarded $5,451.80 in Warren County occupancy taxes to the Department of New York of the American Gold Star Mothers, during the town board’s March meeting.
The money will help with promotion and operation of the group’s 85th convention to be held mostly at the Holiday Inn in Lake George Village during the weekend of April 30. They will also have cruise boat rides and tour other areas.
A Gold Star Mother is someone who has lost a child while that child was serving in the United States military. The convention’s theme this year is “Ever Forward,” convention materials say.
Cindy Roberts, the president of the New York Department, said that the convention will include the requisite meetings of the group, but also will include a wreath laying ceremony, lunch on the Mohican cruise ship on Lake George, and a memorial ceremony.
They have two bands playing at different times, have enlisted the help of the Patriot Riders motorcycle group and the help of local fire departments that will line the street, bearing flags. High schoolers from the Albany and Schenectady Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will also help.
The memorial service at the Holiday Inn Friday evening at 6 p.m. is open to the public and will not only give people a chance to learn about the mothers and their children but also to see a collection of memorabilia and artifacts.
Roberts said in an interview that many of the photos have people who still need identification, and she is hopeful some of that will occur when people visit during the memorial ceremony.
The artifacts will go on display at Albany International Airport after the convention, Roberts said.
The main meeting of the mothers will take place on Saturday April 30.
"I just want them [the parents of the fallen] to have Lake George,” Roberts told the town board. “I'm excited. I'm excited to bring it to Lake George.”