PHOTO PROVIDED State Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, speaks at a Lycoming Engines Veterans Day Ceremony.

There is an intrinsic connection between military veterans and Lycoming Engines, the manufacturing plant that specializes in engineering, manufacture, service, and support of piston aircraft engines in Williamsport.

With a factory based in the city, the Lycoming piston engines power more than half of the world’s general aviation fleet – both rotary-wing and fixed-wing, said Shannon Massey, senior vice president of Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver St.

Along with Dusty Skrutsky, shop floor supervisor and the company’s Veterans Committee board member, and Brayden Bartlett, marketing and communications specialist, the team expressed how proud they are to work at the plant were veterans identify themselves as 12 % of the active workforce ahead of the annual Veterans Day service – which is held inside the plant.

“Veterans Day is a day to pay respect to those who have served and sacrificed for the common good, have given themselves for love of country, and continue to demonstrate true patriotism,” Massey said. “The Lycoming team also displays many of our veterans’ actions and values,” she said. “I see courage and work ethic that help us overcome challenges and accomplish things that many say cannot be done. I see the values of integrity and trust.”

Inside the plant, 12% of the active workforce are self-identified veterans, she said.

Why are members of the military so special for this company operation?

“It is a connection to the purposes and services that our products provide to serve and protect and to train our protectors of freedom,” Massey observed.

That much was echoed by Skrutsky.

“Military members are specific to Lycoming Engines because they see this work as more than just a job – it is a continuation of service,” he said. “They know what it means to depend on equipment and they take pride in ensuring the same level of dependability in every engine that we produce.”

So, what makes these military workers different or sets them apart from civilian workers?

“All of our workers express a sense of pride and purpose; for those who serve or have served they are great knowledge providers of purpose and also the benefits of standard work, Massey stressed.

“Veterans in the aviation manufacturing workforce are important because veterans provide a mission focus mindset, technical discipline and a strong understanding of the industry’s needs for precision, safety and quality,” Skrutsky said. “Their experience directly translates into a higher quality standard, process, discipline and accountability on the manufacturing floor.”

Veterans, he said, truly represent a valuable and diverse skilled talent pool. “They enhance the company’s performance, productivity and culture,” he said.

“With proven leadership, teamwork and strong work ethic, veterans are reliable and overcome challenges effectively,” he said. In short – hiring veterans is a “strategic business decision.”

What is the atmosphere on the shop floor in terms of the military and patriotism?

“First and foremost is our Veteran’s Wall that highlights each employee who has or is currently serving and their branch of service,” Massey said. “Each employee is recognized. In addition, throughout our factory we have and proudly hang American flags.”

“It is evident that our shop supports our military and embodies patriotism because of our proud standing Veterans Wall when you first walk into our doors, recognizing our employees who proudly served,” Skrutsky said. “This, along with many American flags throughout the facility, remind us our customers and our visitors that Lycoming Engines are proudly American made engines.”

Lycoming Engines has all branches of the military represented. “We are well represented by all branches of service,” Massey said. “It is a fact – every Veterans Day, we do a ceremony and recognize our veterans,” said Bartlett who said the company’s values mirror those of the patriotic citizens of Williamsport and America.

How has the Veterans Committee made a difference in the lives of veterans or veterans organizations in Lycoming County and the region and what kind of programs or events do they take part in?

“In conjunction with VetNet, our employee resource group for veterans, and our company, we sponsor the Miles for Military Shares – which is an initiative put on by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – that is 20,000 meals to support in our community,” Massey said.

“We encourage their workforce recruitment via multiple channels providing family sustaining wages,” she added.