IAM Local 4 (District 4) members continue to serve veterans in Charlotte Hall, MD. Their aspirations are an example of coordination with local VSOs (Veterans Service Organization) that the IAM Veterans Services Department encourages.
The Fighting Machinists at Local 4 provided liquid laundry detergent, body wash, and compression socks to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home residents. Commander Mark Phippen of DAV Chapter 26 lauded the partnership with the IAM.
“This is just the beginning of a great partnership,” said Phippen. “The Fighting Machinists of Local 4 sets the standard for unions to follow when it comes to helping our veterans.”
Following the rollout of the new Veterans Benefits Support program and a rejuvenated Veterans Services Steering Committee, other Local and District Lodges are establishing more Veteran Service Committees of their own.
“This partnership with the DAV and Local 4 has been ongoing and has been incredibly beneficial for both groups,” said IAM Local 4 President Jeremy Leissner. “We look forward to continuing that relationship.”
The maintenance staff and caregivers at the Charlotte Hall, MD facility are Machinists Union members who take great pride in caring for the veterans residing there. In addition, members of Local 4 and the residents alike can see the improvements to the quality of life since the Machinists Union secured its first contract with the facility back in December 2017.
“Just as our members are passionate, so is the entire Executive Council to provide support to our military veterans,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Bryant. “We will continue to find ways to support our defenders, active and retired.
More recently, because of the Local Lodge 4’s relationship with this facility, the IAM raised $100,000 for Charlotte Hall renovations through the IAM International President’s Capital Classic Golf Tournament.
Original Story: The Southern Maryland Chronicle.
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) are organizations that aid and serve veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors. Descriptions of different types of VSOs appear in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA’s) VSO Directory.
According to the directory, VSOs may fall into one or more of the following categories:
– congressionally chartered organizations
– organizations recognized by VA
– organizations recognized by VA to prepare, present, and prosecute claims
– national organizations
– state, county, or tribal governmental organizations
– regional or local organizations or
– nonprofit organizations.
There is no uniformly applied statutory definition of the term VSO, but certain laws use the term more narrowly than the Directory of VSOs. For example, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-55) stated: “The term ‘veterans service organization’ means any organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section
5902 of title 38, United States Code.”
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