Veterans Employee Network Volunteering in 2022
The Veterans Employee Network (EN) is made up of veterans of military service who are currently employed at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC). The Veterans EN mission is to provide veterans with a network of resources dedicated to improving their lives, our community and serving our national security mission. The Veterans EN seeks to achieve their mission and vision through veteran engagement, community engagement, recruiting and building inclusion. Veterans are a vital part of our workforce. This year the KCNSC has hired 122 veterans with veterans making up nearly 13 percent of our total workforce.
There were many volunteer efforts that the Veterans EN supported this year. Senior Engineering Support Analyst Doug Bryant was the KCNSC representative for Project Relo and Task Force Tribute, which is a veteran-inspired journey of remembrance across the United States, honoring the 7,054 military members who have lost their lives during combat operations since 9/11. In Kansas City, Project RELO stopped at the World War I Museum and held a presentation on Task Force Tribute and laid a memorial wreath for veterans. Established in 2016, Project RELO seeks to educate corporate leaders on the value veterans bring to their organization, providing transitioning military members access to Project RELO’s business network, and connecting companies with the people and teams that can help find critical talent. During the trip, Project RELO Task Force Tribute talked to veterans and worked to collect videos for a living memorial, while spreading the word about Project RELO’s mission to help train companies on the value of hiring veterans.
In July, veteran and manufacturing manager Jade Hinman, walked 22 miles in one day to support Kenneth Mintz, another veteran who was on a mission walking across the country. Mintz traversed the nation on foot for two reasons, to help a charity close to his heart and to embark on an adventure where he meets other veterans who have gone through similar experiences.
In November the Veteran’s EN handed out poppies to employees at the main campus and Building 23 for Veteran’s Day. The poppies are traditionally handed out on Veteran’s Day as a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice to honor those who have served and died in the armed forces. During Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day there was a fallen service member table as a reminder and cultural awareness tool to educate employees on the significance of Veteran Sacrifice. The Marine Corps birthday celebration was held on November 10th. Marine Corps veterans held a cake cutting ceremony and celebrated with their fellow veterans.
Volunteering for veteran supported events and organizations is important for the Veterans EN. They volunteered at various organizations in 2022 including Toys for Tots, Christmas in October, Patriot’s Run, F.I.S.H. Armed Forces Celebration and Golf Tournament, Warriors’ Ascent golf scramble, among many others.
