Author: Tom Jachman

There are more than 2 million unemployed people who are 55 and older and the AARP is launching a job fair in 19 states across the country to try to help them find work. In February, the unemployment rate for workers older than 55 climbed to 7.1 percent from 6.8 in January. That’s higher than it’s ever been since the 1940’s, but lower than the overall national rate, which stands at 9.7 percent

In addition to those seniors who are unemployed there are many whose retirements savings have been decimated and therefore have to rejoin the work force. Both groups are facing descrimination because of their age, as well as a job market that requires new skills to interview. The job fairs include help with using the Internet, resume consultation, meetings with companies that are hiring and even a fashion show which illustrates how to dress for the interview and workplace. Watch the video below to see highlights from the Atlanta jobs fair.

When 89 year-old Bee Haydu stepped into the captain’s seat of an Air Tran 717 aircraft she calmly said “I’ve got one in.”  Haydu’s experienced hands gripped the yoke of the 717 but it wasn’t the first time she sat behind the controls. Haydu is one of 300 surviving WASP members or Women Airforce Service Pilots. These women flew Military aircraft domestically during World War II in order to free male pilots for active duty. She was flown to the ceremony and given a tour of the Airtran plane by an all woman flight team as a curtousey from the company in honor of her service.

WASP members were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington DC today. Watch video clips of Bee below and read Elizabeth Prann’s blog to learn more about this group of pilots.

Jim Thomas, Chief Master Machinist Mate aboard the USS Bataan, is proud of his crew. When Operation Unified Response was launched, to help the people of Haiti, Thomas and his crew of 60 put the “cold” ship back together and fired up the 2 high pressure steam boilers. An operation that usually would have taken a day or two was done in ten hours. His engineering crew maintains and operates the boilers that provide for water, electricity and propulsion to the ship. The steam is vital when at sea.  It turns the shaft connected to the propellers, runs electrical generators and is used to make fresh water through two huge evaporators.

On January 16th 2010 the ship-loaded with over 2200 US Marines and Navy personnel and hundreds of tons of supplies-left port in Morehead City, NC bound for the coast of Haiti. The ship plays a vital role in delivering relief supplies, Humvee, heavy equipment and personnel used by the US military to help rebuild Haiti. Watch the video below to learn more about the engineering crew of the USS Bataan.