Semper Fi: East Division team members and veterans speak at service event

Members of the East Division with experience in the U.S. Armed Forces recently spoke during an event designed to help veterans acclimate back into the workforce.

Members of the East Division with experience in the U.S. Armed Forces recently spoke during an event designed to help veterans acclimate back into the workforce.

 

Held at Georgia’s Camp Southern Ground, an inclusive camp founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Zac Brown, the event included a panel discussion during which Martin Marietta employees spoke with service men and women, fielded questions and provided perspective on what it feels like to enter the private sector.

The panel was part of a larger event called Warrior Week, a free program that helps military veterans transition to civilian life. The weeklong event focused on professional development, personal and mental well-being, and career-driven training for military veterans.

Camp staff encouraged veterans to thrive post-military service by discovering their inner strength and recognizing that they could utilize their military training in the civilian work sector.

During the panel, East Division leaders, including Senior HR Manager Hank Weil and Plant Manager Curtis Freeman—both Marine Corps veterans—spoke with the crowd.

“As a veteran myself, one powerful moment was realizing how much I could relate to the challenges they described,” Weil said. “Several shared that the event, and the larger Warrior Week, gave them a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh perspective—something they could carry with them and apply to their lives back home.”

Freeman agreed and said he sought to truly understand the motivations of the people with whom he spoke.

“My favorite part of the event was meeting the staff and the veterans and trying to understand their ‘why,’” Freeman said. “Many veterans find it difficult to transfer their military skills to the private sector and many don’t fully understand their potential for success. This program helps them define their new roles and overcome their challenges in a group setting where they can meet and connect with other like-minded veterans.”

North Georgia District Sales Manager Jason Weatherford helped organize the event and said he was happy to work with a group that has a meaningful and lasting impact on the community.

Martin Marietta initially joined as a sponsor for one of the group’s fundraising events, but what started as a financial contribution quickly evolved into a deeper partnership, Weatherford said.

“Conversations with the Camp Southern Ground team revealed an opportunity to engage beyond simply writing a check,” he said. “Further conversations led to our involvement in their business panel, which allows us to support their mission in a more hands-on way by sharing our expertise and connecting them with our extended network.”

Regional Vice President-General Manager Travis Miller said his participation in the event provided him with a new perspective on what he called “some of our country’s bravest individuals.”

“This was truly one of the proudest days I’ve ever had as a Martin Marietta employee,” he said. “This group of men and women is truly the strongest of the strong and gave so much for our country. I am honored that I could help give back to those who have sacrificed so much.”

Weatherford, Miller and others said they will continue supporting Camp Southern Ground and that they intend to donate material for the construction of the nonprofit’s new archery pavilion, a space designed to support rehabilitation and recreational therapy for veterans.