NBCUniversal and Comcast have pledged to hire 1,000 veterans over three years as part of NBC News’ “Hiring Our Heroes” initiative.

“It’s clear that the leaders of tomorrow are the youth of today, and there’s no better youth of today than the people that have been fighting overseas and protecting our country,” Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts (right) told Ann Curry on “Today” this morning.

“Hiring Our Heroes” is a joint NBC News and U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiative focused on helping veterans and military spouses find employment. The “Today” show broadcast this morning from a job fair aboard the Intrepid, one of 400 hiring events that that NBC News has committed to hosting this year.