It's men like Steven McCartha that brought Colonel Oliver North to Tulare for the World Ag Expo, specifically as the keynote speaker for the Ag Warriors Benefit.
"It's gotta be a better speech than the one you missed last night."
Colonel North was actually referring to a report on the global effects of agri-business there...
All kidding aside, Colonel North was here to encourage veterans returning from war.
McCartha is an a war veteran who's adjusted back to his home life, thanks to the Ag Warriors program, which helps veterans returning from war find jobs in the ag industry.
McCartha plans to open up a business consulting firm soon.
But he says, it's a rocky road.
"Most of the jobs that are being obtained are by people that know other people, because we have no networking whatsoever when we come back into the civilian sector."
Colonel North says the unemployment numbers for veterans are actually double the national average...
And it doesn't have to be that way.
"If you show me a skill set in agriculture, I will show you a military person who can fulfill that need."
Colonel North says the media is partially to blame for the unemployment rate with veterans.
He currently works in the media as a political commentator, but says every time someone commits a crime, one of the first things the media looks at is whether suspect has a military background.
"If we describe everybody as one step from going postal, no wonder the HR people at your network aren't going to hire somebody."
His newest book is called Heroes Proved.
It's about a terrorist attack that sends the country into an economic meltdown, dealing with themes we've become all too familiar with in recent years.
He wouldn't give away the ending, but says there is a positive outcome... which is what the Ag Warriors program offers our returning veterans.
"And we need bright young people in the ag business."
TXT 24
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