WCET-TV kicks off its "Veterans Coming Home"campaign with a forum Tuesday, July 19, at the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, 800 Vine St., downtown.
It's part of a national project aimed at closing the military-civilian divide by encouraging conversations across the country, says Kellie May, CET public relations and digital media specialist.
"The big theme here is that service unites people throughout our country and by talking about experiences and needs, we can close the gap between those who serve in the military and those who don’t, and find better ways to support veterans who need assistance," especially post 9/11 veterans, she says.
The community conversation starts 5:30- 7:30 p.m. July 19 in the main public library's first floor Reading Garden Lounge.
Former WCPO-TV news anchor Clyde Gray will moderate the discussion with Karen Cutright Siegrist, Cincinnati VA Medical Hospital clinic program manager; Sarah Meeds, National Guard Employment Enhancement Program veterans employment specialist; Dan Knowles, Tristate Veterans Community Alliance president & CEO; and Darrell Smith, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College veterans manager and Veterans Upward Bound assistant director.
Those planning to attend the forum should RSVP Carol Derkson at cderkson@CETconnect.org or call 513-345-6564.
On Aug. 16, Channel 48 will hold a "Veterans Coming Home" town hall meeting at the station, which will be recorded for broadcast at a later date. Details and guests are not confirmed yet, "but we will be asking for a studio audience and space will be limited," May says.
