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BOSTON (AP) A charity that got its start with help from a Rock and Roll Hall of fame guitarist is helping veterans get jobs.

Work Vessels for Veterans was started two years ago by Connecticut lobsterman John Niekrash, who donated a boat to Richard Giguere, a Marine reservist from Rhode Island who served two tours in Iraq.

The charity got help from Dave Mason, who played guitar in the band Traffic. It has provided fishing boats, vehicles, laptop computers and tools to veterans across the country.

On Friday, Westport, Conn., lobsterman Tim Field donated his old boat to Chris Pinto of Plymouth, Mass.

Pinto's father earned his living and died on the seas, but he thought he would never be able to afford a boat until Work Vessels for Veterans came along.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-27-09 1344CST | save this article / add to your favorites list