Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) recently participated in a veterans committee-building class aimed at strengthening support for military veterans within the union, workplaces, and local communities.
The program brought together IAM members from various locals across the United States, each with a background in military service. Participants shared their experiences and worked on developing advocacy skills to establish or enhance veterans committees within their districts and locals.
Over the course of the week, attendees engaged in classroom sessions, workshops, and group discussions. The curriculum focused on identifying veterans’ needs, navigating Veterans Affairs benefits and claims processes, connecting with support resources, and organizing community service initiatives.
As part of their training, participants volunteered at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. They collaborated to tear down and rebuild a safety fence around a pond on the facility’s grounds as an example of “service to the community.”
Rich Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator, emphasized the significance of such programs: “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.”
