IAM members who are military veterans recently participated in a committee-building class aimed at strengthening support networks for veterans within the union and their communities. The event brought together participants from different locals across the United States, all with backgrounds in military service.
The program focused on leadership development, advocacy skills, and strategies to establish or enhance veterans committees at both district and local levels. Throughout the week-long course, attendees engaged in classroom sessions, workshops, and group discussions to identify the needs of veterans and create actionable plans to address them. Topics included navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits system, accessing support resources, and organizing community service initiatives.
As part of the program, participants volunteered at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. They worked collaboratively to tear down and rebuild a safety fence around a pond on the facility’s grounds as a practical demonstration of their commitment to community service.
Rich Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator, emphasized the ongoing nature of service among veterans within the union: “When veterans unite through the IAM, we create more than committees. We build bridges of support, leadership, and solidarity. This program reminds us that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It continues in our workplaces and communities, where we stand together to care for one another.”
