American Legion honors Shoeman
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Robert Shoeman, Idaho Department of Labor veterans representative, was recently named the Local Veterans Employment Representative of the the Year by the national office of the American Legion.</p>
POST FALLS - Robert Shoeman's family history with veterans dates back to the Civil War.
Helping those who have served is a passion of the Vietnam-era Navy veteran.
The American Legion will honor Shoeman at its national convention next week in Minneapolis as the Local Veterans Employment Representative of the Year.
Shoeman has been in his position with the local office of the Idaho Department of Labor for more than 10 years.
"It's humbling," he said. "It's a big award, but it merely personifies the cooperation among agencies and individuals who come together to serve our veterans in need. I look at it that this is recognition for great partnerships."
Shoeman has been chairman of the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down for the past 10 years. This year the event assisted 1,900 veterans with food, clothing, haircuts and a meal.
He also helps organize Project Homeless Connect, which helped more than 1,000 people this year, including veterans, in similar ways.
Shoeman said several organizations such as the American Legion, St. Vincent de Paul, Health and Welfare, United Way, churches and others are a big part of making such events a success.
"We all work together to help the veterans," he said.
Shoeman said the past three years have been difficult due to the recession, but it's still rewarding to serve vets.
"Four years ago, the economy was booming and it was pretty easy to send someone out of here with a lot of job referrals," he said. "It's not that way anymore. So having that network of support services to keep veterans afloat until they find a job is bigger than ever.
"We desire to make sure that every veteran who walks in the door knows what's available to them in the form of assistance and benefits."
Shoeman said he's thankful for the IDL staff and management giving him flexibility to help veterans.
"Without that, we wouldn't be able to build partnerships with agencies," he said.
President Barack Obama is among the expected speakers at the national convention.
The Idaho American Legion will also receive an award for its outreach to homeless veterans. That award will be received by Brandia Young, disabled veterans outreach program specialist for the local IDL office and chairperson of the state Legion's homeless outreach committee.