IAM members from various locals across the United States recently participated in a program designed to support military veterans within the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The IAM Veterans Committee-Building Class focused on service, leadership, and advocacy for veterans both within the union and in broader communities.
The week-long class included members who have served in the military. They gathered to share their experiences, strengthen their advocacy skills, and discuss ways to establish or enhance veterans committees at their local unions and districts. The sessions covered topics such as navigating Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, accessing support resources, and organizing community service initiatives.
In addition to classroom activities, participants volunteered at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. There, they worked together to dismantle and rebuild a safety fence around a pond on the facility’s grounds. This effort was part of IAM’s commitment to “service to the community.”
Rich Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator, emphasized the ongoing role of service for veterans involved with the union. “When veterans unite through the IAM, we create more than committees. We build bridges of support, leadership, and solidarity,” Evans said. “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.”
