RICHMOND, Va., June 25 — A special video commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) highlighted opening ceremonies of the 86th annual Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA) here yesterday morning.
The BLET celebrated its 150th anniversary on May 8, 2013, and the video highlighted many of the Organization’s most important accomplishments since 1863.
SMA Arrangements Chairman Troy Bryant, Co-Chairman Dave Powers, and the members of BLET Division 532 are hosting this year’s SMA.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce introduced members of the BLET Advisory Board and National Division staff who were in attendance. President Pierce also spoke about the Organization’s 150th anniversary and introduced the commemorative video presentation, which was well received by the audience of more than 100 BLET members and their families. The video is available on the National Division’s YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/BLETUnion.
The opening ceremonies included the annual presentation of state flags by members of the BLET Auxiliary, a tradition that dates back nearly 100 years. States flags presented in the ceremony include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Jewell Graben, SMA Chairperson for the BLET Auxiliary, presided over the flag presentation ceremony. Anita Caruso, National President of the BLET Auxiliary, carried the United States flag and later addressed the members and families in attendance.
Brother Bryant introduced Dewey Brown, Local Chairman of Division 267, who gave the invocation and led a ceremony to remember BLET members killed in the line of duty since 2012. An empty chair was left at the front of the meeting hall to symbolize the Organization’s departed Brothers and Sisters.
Additional guest speakers included: Donald McEachin, State Senator from Virginia; Dave Kannenberg, Region 2 of the Federal Railroad Administration; and Michael Collins, Assistant to the Labor Member, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
The afternoon concluded with a closed meeting for BLET members and open meetings for the BLET Auxiliary. Members will enjoy numerous educational opportunities throughout the remainder of the week. Workshops will feature specialized training for BLET Legislative Representatives, Secretary-Treasurers, Local Chairmen, and Division Presidents. Also available are: a workshop on the BLET mobilization network; a mock Public Law Board; a seminar with the Federal Railroad Administration; and an informational presentation on the BLET health & welfare plan.