Veterans Report — December 2024

Making a Difference on Veterans Day

Fellow Veterans of Local Union 11,

Since my last update on the status of our Veteran Community, we are preparing to graduate our Los Angeles Cohort (LA08) on 6 Dec 2024. We will have a graduating class of 20 Veterans, of which 11 will stay local to our Union, and the other nine will be joining IBEW Local Unions across the United States. Our Veterans Electrical Entry Program (VEEP) has become quite popular throughout the Department of Defense regarding its Skill Bridge and Career Skills Programs that allow Military Service Personnel to participate in Apprenticeship Programs throughout the Nation. Please keep in mind that we are now one of almost a dozen Locals hosting the VEEP Program.

Given the Veterans Day Holiday that has just passed, The Veterans Committee vowed to take on a project at the Azusa VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 8070 as a dedicated day of service to support a fellow Veteran Organization. The turnout of Local 11 Electricians was tremendous; every classification was represented from Construction Wireman to Journey Level to Foreman. The turnout included Non-Veterans from Local 11 who support Veterans. The project consisted of conducting load management on the existing panel, including installing new breakers to distribute the load correctly. A lot of EMT was bent and ran to include wire pulling throughout the main hall to include the installation of new receptacles. The Post Commander of VFW 8070 and its current members were most appreciative of our efforts to upgrade their facility as their funding has depleted over the years.

In closing, a special shoutout to Brothers Don Eckvahl, Scott Thompson, and Albert Martinez who helped lead our efforts by providing Safety Briefs and overall Supervision to also include our Business Agent and Organizer of District 6 Tommy Zielomski and Chris Rosales.

Please note that Local 11 Veterans Committee has established a Facebook Page. Please take the time to register.

Link for registration: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1292093491508732

Respectfully,

Mike Kufchak
Director of Veteran Affairs
IBEW Local 11