New York Helmets to Hardhats celebrated 20 years of support for veterans transitioning to the construction trades on board the USS Intrepid Museum docked on the West Side of Manhattan.
The event provided a forum for several construction union leaders and veterans-turned journeymen to share their stories about how the program provided a path back to a stable, meaningful career in the trades after their service.
The program, which was conceptualized in between the start of the Post-9/11 ward in Afghanistan and Iraq, was designed to develop veterans from military service into careers in the building trades through direct-entry apprenticeship. New York was one of the first places to launch the program. To date, the program has transitioned approximately 3,500 men and women from the United States military into union careers, according to Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York President Gary Labarbera, a founder and chairman of the program’s board.
“My local 926 has accepted me from day one. They have helped me become a better carpenter, a better union member, and overall better person,” said guest speaker Mike Martinez, an Army veteran who transitioned through the program to join Carpenters Local 926.
The event honored 23 other veterans who have participated in the program over the years. The vets were given a forum to share their stories through a video presentation, in which several recalled hard times after their military services and the desire to recover the sense of purpose.
“I found myself one day sleeping on the A train running back and forth for like two weeks,” said Taariq Mcfield, one of the honorees. “Transitioning out of the Marine Corps was definitely a tough process. You think you have things in order, but it’s not easy to try to find work.
The other honorees included Building Trades Employers Association President Elizabeth Crowley and Elevator Constructors Local 1 President Lenny Legote, a Marine Corps Veteran.
“This isn’t about me or my local. It’s about the countless veterans who have taken on a Helmets to Hardhats role and come to the trades and shown their determination and resilience and with some guidance shown they could achieve remarkable things,” Legote said.
The veteran honorees include the following: Christopher Sciortino, a USMC veteran, is a member of Elevator Constructors Local 1; Joseph Famighetti, a USMC veteran, is a member of Tile, Marble, & Terrazzo Local 7; Jose Jimenez, a USMC veteran, is a member of Ornamental Iron Workers Local 580; William O’malley, an Army veteran, is a member of Elevator Constructors Local 1; Taariq Mcfield, a USMC veteran, is a member of Electricians Local 3; Christopher Bello, a USMC veteran, is a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 28; Geovanny Bautista, a USMC veteran, is a member of Steamfitters Local 638; Carlos Acevedo, a USMC veteran, is a member of Laborers Local 79; Tabetha Andino, an Army veteran, is a member of Laborers Local 79; Matthew Treadwell, a USMC veteran, is a member of Structural Iron Workers Local 361; Edward J. Sarno, a Navy veteran, is a member of Boilermakers Local 5; Brodie Besemer, a USMC veteran, is a member of Operating Engineers Local 14-14b; Robert Rossi, a USMC veteran, is a member of Plumbers Local 1; Victor Gutierrez, a USMC veteran, is a member of Operating Engineers Local 14-14b; Thomas Korsgen, a USMC veteran, is a member of Insulators Local 12; Jonathan Cruzado, a Coast Guard veteran, is a member of Bricklayers Local 1; Justin Brody, a USMC veteran, is a member of Laborers Local 731; Anthony Flynn, a Navy veteran, is a member of Structural Iron Workers Local 40; Roger Walker, a Navy veteran, is a member of Operating Engineers Local 15; Tyler Somma, a Navy veteran, is a member of Plumbers Local 1; Sarah Ham, an Army veteran, is a member of Cement & Concrete Workers Dc 16; and Lawrence Moretti, a USMC veteran, is a member of Elevator Constructors Local 1.
