Unions Step in to Aid Injured Iraqi War Veteran

Richard Negri, a dedicated unionist who runs the blog Union Review, has a great post we’d like to highlight. Negri rightly applauds the organization Helmets to Hardhats, which connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry and other trades.

Up in Windsor Locks, Conn., local building trades unions joined up with Helmets to Hardhats to assist a local veteran named Sgt. Barry Albert. The soldier lost a leg as a result of a May 14 attack on four U.S. Army vehicles in Iraq.

The 42-year-old war hero was driving the lead vehicle near the city of Al Hillah when he sustained significant shrapnel injuries to his leg, yet continued to drive his passengers to safety, including a wounded comrade.

When his story was heard, it was clearly identified that Sgt. Albert and his wife, Susan, needed to have their home retrofitted to accommodate his injury. Helmets to Hardhats, along with another group called Heroes to Hometowns and American Legion Post 36 in Windsor Locks, reached out to the building trades unions in the Greater Hartford area to help coordinate the effort.

And frankly, the unions came through…in a big way! They donated all labor and materials to make this happen. We learned today that the renovation work has begun and completion is expected within the next two weeks.

We take off our hats and say thank you to these union workers and salute Sgt. Albert—all for doing a great job!