(CBS4) BOSTON They risk their lives to protect America, and 15 percent of the men and women in uniform will be unemployed when they return home -- that's almost three-times the national average.
Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry joined a host of other dignitaries and signed a resolution to support Helmets to Hardhats.
“The training that we provide can be anywhere from three to five years, it's a long term commitment but in exchange for that you actually get a career that's sellable in this country and throughout Canada," said Joe Dart of the Building and Construction Trades Council.
Union presidents from all the trades work to recruit soldiers for civilian jobs. Helmets to Hardhats provides training, apprenticeship, for good paying jobs with benefits.
“It's a win-win, those people and their families win out the country does the construction trade does, the union movement is stronger it's the best thing I’ve seen going," said Sen. John Kerry, (D) Massachusetts.
http://cbs4boston.com/local/local_story_069145936.html 
Fri Mar 10, 1:49 PM ET
Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Edward Kennedy confer in Boston Friday, March 10, 2006, during an event promoting a job training program a for veterans transitioning to the construction industry. (AP Photo/William B. Plowman)