U.S. Senator Jon Tester hosted a forum to help Montana veterans find jobs and better understand their educational and health care benefits on Wednesday, November 10—the day before Veterans Day.

Tester's Veterans Opportunity Workshop, at the Best Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls, featured several guest presentations on specific issues facing new veterans and their families. Presentations included:

• Jobs Skills (job searches, interviews, training, resumes)
• Education Benefits (understanding the 21st Century GI Bill)
• Navigating the VA (eligibility and health care)
• "While They're Gone" (understanding services for families of deployed servicemembers)

"As military efforts continue overseas, more and more young Montanans are joining the ranks of our nation's veterans," said Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. "We're working to make sure these folks can take advantage of the benefits they've earned, and to make sure their families have the support they deserve."

The event began with "Stand down" activities (accepting donated clothing for Montana veterans, canned goods for Montana Supporting Soliders) at 8 a.m.