As Obama speaks, vets seek better job prospects

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Veterans gathered in Minneapolis to hear President Barack Obama speak say they hope to see more civilian jobs for people leaving the military.

Obama is addressing the American Legion National Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Tuesday. He told the group the nation needs to take care of its veterans "as well as you've taken care of us."

World War II veteran Eddie Price says veterans should have priority for hiring because of their service to the country. But Mark Walker of the American Legion says the unemployment rate among those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan is 12.4 percent, higher than the national unemployment rate of 9.1 percent.

Some veterans suggest a national infrastructure program to put returning veterans to work on road and bridge projects.

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