Photo by Amy Cherry
Craig Singer of Kersey is retiring from his position at the Elk County CareerLink as a military veterans liaison. He intends to remain active in assisting active duty and veterans through his local American Legion.

By Amy Cherry
Staff Writer

After 18 years of providing assistance to area veterans, Craig Singer of Kersey, is retiring from his position as Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) at the Elk County CareerLink effective today.
Singer has held the LVER position for the past eight years and was a Disabled Veterans Opportunity Program Specialist (DVOPS) for the previous 10 years.
“I’m still willing to help any veteran in any way I can,” Singer said.
In conjunction with his retirement Singer wants to remind any veteran, whom he has worked with, that if they wish they can pick up their file from him. He may be contacted at his home at 885-8195. Veterans files not picked up were forwarded to the Elk County Veterans Affairs Office at the Courthouse Annex in Ridgway.  
Singer anticipates his position to be filled around June or July.
“As an LVER we have to build a repertoire with employers in the area as well as with all the military branches in order to find employment and careers for military personnel or active duty vets coming home,” Singer said. “I always try to find them a career rather than just a job.”
Singer has worked with such agencies as DCNR, the unemployment compensation department, corrections officers, state parks and many more.
He will continue to act in his position as the Employment Support for Guard and Reserve (ESGR) liaison, working with Charlie Company based in Bradford as well as U.S. Army Reserve units based in St. Marys and Brookville.
In addition Singer is also the service officer for Legion Post 511 in Dagus Mines.
Among his duties at CareerLink Singer was responsible for servicing all veterans of Elk, Cameron and Potter counties. He assisted with employment and training issues such as the GI Bill, adhered to veterans preferences in employment for any Federal Contractor Job Listing (FCJL) orders and worked with disabled veterans in obtaining vocational rehabilitation case management.
Throughout his years Singer has worked on as many as eight deployments by assisting with deployment orientations and demobilization upon soldiers return.
He has also worked closely with the 160 members of Charlie Company by providing guidance and support on employment issues, family problems, financial concerns and worked on the Call Home Program as well.
Two examples which stand out in Singer’s mind was arranging a toy collection for a young boy who’s mother took the family check book, leaving him with relatives while his father was deployed to Iraq and helping a family obtain a water supply after their well water went dry. He noted that in the second case he employed the help of the American Red Cross of Elk and Cameron counties, Elk County Commissioners, DCNR and Wilcox Fire Department who helped haul water.
Singer began his position at CareerLink shortly after the deployment for Operation Desert Shield and has worked with veterans returning from Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
He noted that while Elk County’s current unemployment rate is 10.5 percent, it is 16 percent statewide among military veterans. Singer explained the higher figure in that some veterans have returned to school or cannot enter the workforce due to an injury suffered while deployed or mental illness as a result of being in a war.
“This has been a very rewarding experience helping vets and their families,” Singer said. “I hope I made a difference somewhere along the line and appreciate the service of all men and women in defense of our country.”
Singer invites all those he has helped throughout the years to his retirement party this evening beginning at 5 p.m. at the American Legion in Dagus Mines in Fox Township.