Members of the UFT Veterans Committee gathered at union headquarters on Nov. 8 — the committee’s first in-person event since before the pandemic. “We wanted to make sure all our military veterans are aware of the benefits they’re entitled to,” said committee Chair Donald Nobles, who retired from teaching three years early due to a buy-back opportunity that allowed him to get service credit for his military service. Committee members appreciated the opportunity to reconnect. “It was great to see the old gang and new faces,” retired teacher Fred Kapp said. Joann Grice, a retired school counselor, said the meet and greet was part of the committee’s fresh start as it implements “a recruitment program that will allow us to reach out to more veterans affiliated with the union.” Among the committee’s other goals, retired teacher Deborah Nesmith said, is to “help military veterans and assure them there is always someone here at the UFT who will be able to help them if needed.”