IAM members from across the United States recently gathered for a training program focused on supporting military veterans within their union and local communities. The event, known as the IAM Veterans Committee-Building Class, brought together participants with military backgrounds to discuss advocacy, share experiences, and develop strategies for creating or strengthening veterans committees at the district and local level.
The week-long class included workshops, classroom sessions, and group discussions centered on identifying challenges faced by veterans in the workplace and community. Participants explored topics such as navigating benefits systems like those offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), accessing support resources, and organizing community service projects.
As part of the program, attendees volunteered at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. They worked together to dismantle and rebuild a safety fence around a pond on the facility’s grounds. This volunteer effort was intended to reflect what organizers described as “service to the community.”
Rich Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator, commented on the significance of these efforts: “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.”
The event aimed to strengthen bonds among veteran members while providing practical tools for supporting fellow veterans within both union settings and broader communities.
