January - February - United Mine Workers of America

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Leading by example Union veterans defend values as they defended nation Historically, coalfield communities have always been among the first to offer up their sons and daughters when their nation calls. Hailing largely from rural and small-town America, these soldiers, sailors, marines and others are driven by a strong sense of patriotism and love of country to leave their homes and risk their lives to defend the nation. Although eventually, the uniform is put away, the commitment to service and civic duty it represents is not. Instead, it is transformed into a remarkable level of activism that serves their nation, and our union, well. “The military teaches you how to carry out instructions,” said Francis Martin, a member of L.U. 7635 and a Korean War veteran. “Basically, that’s the way it has been in the union, back when I started out with John L. Lewis and up to the present time. It’s how you organize and get things done.” L.U. 1330 member Leo Cogar, a Vietnam veteran, agrees. “If you live through the experience, being in the service makes an adult out of you. It changes your outlook on life on a day-to-day basis. You learn to take care of your fellow workers, not just yourself, because sometimes your life depends on it.” Jack Simmons (l) Francis Martin (r) Unmet needs In their speeches, politicians frequently pay lip service to the need to honor America’s veterans. The reality is somewhat different. The Veterans Administration (VA), a Cabinet-level agency, operates the nation’s largest health care system, with 153 medical centers, 909 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics, 135 nursing homes, 47 residential Tony Brnusak Phil Smith Phil Smith rehabilitation treatment programs, 232 Veterans Centers and 108 comprehensive home-care programs. Yet the serious needs of many veterans go wanting. “We’re going to have more and more returning veterans who will need VA services,” agreed Tony Brnusak of L.U. 2300, a Vietnam veteran. “A lot of them are coming back wounded and burned out. A lot of them are going to need training too, either in college or vocational school.” L.U. 1582 member Steve Bowles, who served in both the Kosovo and Iraq conflicts, believes it is the challenges uniquely faced by veterans that keeps them together and mobilized for action. “The biggest issue right now is the Veterans Administration, the need to put more money into it,” he said. “I think the VA is behind the ball tremendously. I know we need more facilities in states like West Virginia. There are a large number of guys coming back now, and they are the ones who won’t be able to get help. It is especially important to combat veterans like me who are more likely to use their services for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the like, and this is where they’ve really been behind.” UMWA Veterans Leadership Committee Last year, the UMWA established the UMWA Veterans Leadership Committee, comprised of service veteran activists who are determined 4 January/February 2009 • United Mine Workers Journal
to ensure that veterans are honored for their sacrifices and receive the benefits and services that a grateful nation has promised them. The group played an important role in the last election by educating union members about differing positions on veterans issues held by the two presidential candidates. Since then, some 2,400 UMWA members have joined the committee. “Service veterans know what it’s like to fight for a just cause, as well as the need to work together and stay united in the face of extreme challenges,” said President Roberts, a Vietnam veteran. “In a way, our union is much like the Army. We draw from each other’s unique backgrounds— experiences which I believe are enhanced by serving one’s country— while providing mutual support to pursue our objectives.” Now, with the election behind us, its founding members think there is much work yet to be done. “I’m sure there will be improvements in the system under President Obama, but there should be a continuing role for the committee,” said Martin. “We have a lot of veterans going through veterans hospitals these days, and they need help.” “We need to have better veterans benefits and better hospital care,” said Cogar. “They’re understaffed and need more equipment and medicine.” “I think the committee is a good thing,” said Brnusak. “We’ve got to keep on talking about veterans benefits so that people will listen.” Other avenues Another channel that can be used by union veterans to voice their concerns is the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. With some 58,000 individual members, 46 state councils and 630 local chapters, the organization is strongly supported by the UMWA. Although eventually, the uniform is put away, the commitment to service and civic duty it represents is not. “Our main efforts are on Capitol Hill,” said John Rowan, VVA National President and CEO. “We tackle legislative issues and fight the VA bureaucracy toward getting more plentiful—and more effective—programs, as well as larger budgets. “Over the years, Agent Orange and PTSD have taken their toll,” he said. “In February we will be announcing formation of a Veterans Health Council, whose purpose is to get health care providers to reach out to veterans and to educate them about problems they need to look out for. Our contention is that long-term PTSD leads to cardiac arrest. We’re trying to create a new branch of medicine— military medicine.” Rowan’s organization has also worked with trade unions to address occupational health hazards. But regardless of how they make their issues known, UMWA Phil Smith veterans draw on both their military and union experiences to form a powerful voice that helps to improve the lives of this close-knit band of brothers and sisters. “There’s more than one way a decision is made and advanced,” said Jack Simmons, a member of L.U. 340 and a veteran of World War II. “I was uneducated when I went into the Army, but when I came back, people were knocking on my door, offering me work. “Being a veteran commands respect, and having served in two local unions, as Recording Secretary and President, I can say that being a union activist does too,” Simmons said. “There are different ideas among different bodies of men and women, and that shapes how you go about getting your program across to people. I learned much in my 42 months in the service, but I’m also union head-to-foot, 62 years of it. People listen to that.” United Mine Workers Journal • January/February 2009 5
Page 1 and 2: January-February 2009 120th Year, N
Page 3: letters [Ed. note: The UMW Journal
Page 7 and 8: “The future strength of our union
Page 9 and 10: Irvin Smith Former L.U. 1440 Presid
Page 11 and 12: Government in action by the collaps
Page 13 and 14: Government in action Michael Ryan,
Page 15 and 16: around our Union Phil Smith Monumen
Page 17 and 18: Celebrating King in the Big Easy ar
Page 19 and 20: Poems • Books • Music The Recor
Page 21 and 22: DISTRICTS in action District 31 The
Page 23 and 24: UMWA Health & retirement funds annu

January - February - United Mine Workers of America

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