IAM members from various locals recently participated in a Veterans Committee-Building Class, which focused on leadership, service, and supporting veterans within the union and the broader community. The event brought together individuals with military backgrounds to exchange experiences and strengthen their advocacy skills.
During the week-long program, participants engaged in classroom learning, workshops, and group discussions. These activities aimed to identify veterans’ needs and develop strategies for addressing them. Topics included navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits system, connecting with available resources, and organizing community service events.
The class also involved hands-on volunteer work at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Participants worked together to tear down and rebuild a safety fence around a pond on the home’s grounds as part of their commitment to community service.
Rich Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator, commented on the significance of the initiative: “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.”
