(source: Toyota press release)

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., has announced the launch of a program designed to assist the transition of those who have recently left or are planning to leave military service into the civilian job market. Dubbed "Hire*A*Hero," the program will help the men and women of the various military branches search for job opportunities at Toyota and Lexus dealerships throughout the United States.

Hire*A*Hero is open to all of the service branches, including the Coast Guard and National Guard. It allows members of the military to search specific areas of the country for employment information at more than 1,400 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. The Hire*A*Hero Web will be linked from various member-support Web sites associated with the military branches. Nearly 600 jobs were listed at the Hire*A*Hero Web site when it launched.

"The men and women of the U.S. military make up one of the best talent pools in America," said Don Esmond, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. "Our dealers have found that military veterans are well-trained, valuable additions to the workplace."