Former Soldier Supports Fellow Veterans Through Company Resource Group

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Brian Reed. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Brian Reed decided to enlist in the military directly out of high school. After 20 years of service, he returned to civilian life and began work as an instructor and writer primarily for the Patriot system at Raytheon Technologies, now RTX. Today, he’s a married father of four and grandfather of five and serves the country in a different way.

Since 2016, when Brian first got involved with RTX VETS Employee Resource Group (ERG), he has enthusiastically spent 10-20 hours a week connecting veterans with the care, support and recognition they have earned. Serving as the group’s co-chair in an office made up of 90% veterans themselves, he rallies volunteers for things like an arts and crafts program at the local veterans’ center, an annual barbecue and fulfilling Angel Tree wishlists each holiday season.

Brian has donated many hours of his time supporting Wreaths Across America, laying wreaths on graves at the Fort Sill National Cemetery, and organized participation in 20+ internment services for “Unclaimed Veterans”. He facilitates mentoring and veteran support programs like career development workshops and advocates for veteran-related causes. He is also involved with Abled and Disabled Persons Partnering Together, another resource group committed to community outreach.

What inspires you to volunteer?

When I joined Raytheon in Lawton, they were already doing an annual barbecue that attracts 100-200 people at the local Veterans’ Center. Being a vet myself, being able to talk to them and understand what they’ve been through, was something that I immediately took to.

Tell us about your volunteer role with RTX VETS ERG.

That first year, my oldest daughter coordinated with her high school Future Farmers of America group and received donations for the vets’ home at Christmas. We kept it up during COVID; we could donate items but couldn’t go talk to the vets or anything. As soon as restrictions were lifted, my co-chair and I talked to the recreation coordinator for the veterans’ home and got back into doing the barbecue.

She said that some of the vets had expressed interest in an arts and crafts thing, too. They had supplies, but didn’t have the personnel to accommodate it, so we volunteered. With our work schedule we’re off every other Friday, so we used that Friday to do a project with them, whether it was painting an ornament or making key chains.

Eventually, one of the volunteer’s spouses started attending and took over, making it a weekly event and increasing participation from four to 15 veterans. We still have people who volunteer with her. One day, the person who was going to read to the veterans for their book club of 20-30 people was unable to make it, so one of our guys offered, and we’ve been doing that ever since.

My co-chair and I discuss everything with our management, because anything we want to do has to be approved. Then, we reach out to the City. That’s how we got into doing the Armed Forces Day Parade. We coordinate donations to food banks. We do around 20 Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner baskets for the YMCA with a turkey or ham and all the fixings.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the group?

Our directives come from higher, because the RTX VETS is global, over all of Raytheon Technologies. So, our goals are more from the top down, but locally, our goal is to be able to continue to interact and support the community, especially those who are vets or active duty who need help.

I’ve been in their shoes where I didn’t have enough to, for example, make a holiday meal. Even while I was active duty. After I became higher in rank, my wife and I always invited those who couldn’t travel home for the holiday to come over for a meal, so they had somebody to talk to and didn’t feel left out.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The smiles, especially from the veterans in the veterans’ home. They love it, especially when younger generations come in. My three daughters were in Oklahoma with us when I retired, so all three of them have helped out. I have one in particular who goes with me anytime I say, “Hey, I’m going to the veterans’ home,” if she’s not working herself. She loves to listen to their stories. They love having somebody to talk to, because not all of them have families left. That’s why they’re in the home.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I think learning how people see things, how they have been treated in the past, makes me a better person.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

Our next event is the Midwest City Veterans’ Day Parade. Our office partnered with the Pratt and Whitney RTX VETS group, and we have a float, motorcycle riders and some local personnel who are going to be part of that.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

If you don’t get involved in something that you care about, you can’t guarantee that someone else will.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering to help veterans?

There’s always a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital or office in most of the larger cities. People can start by contacting them, veterans’ centers or veterans’ homes.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Reach out. There are always people who need someone to talk to, veteran or not. Reach out to your community, and somebody somewhere will be looking for help.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Brian? Find local volunteer opportunities.