Veterans Find Strength in Union Connections

By Capt. Anthony Bailey (Delta), Chair, ALPA Veterans Affairs Subcommittee

“Thank You for Your Service”

These five simple words can evoke a wide range of emotions in veterans. Everyone who has served in the military knows the feeling of trying to find the right response to this humbling phrase. I’ve seen reactions ranging from appreciation and gratitude to awkwardness and, in some cases, even guilt. I’ll admit that I’ve experienced each of these myself.

For those of you who have served or are still serving, ALPA is sincerely thankful for your service. Your experience and unique perspective are invaluable and help contribute to our union’s strength and solidarity.

Strength in Connection

The reality for many of us is that, contrary to popular belief, transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t easy. We often feel like we’ve lost the sense of the esprit de corps that carried us through our time in service. Perhaps not surprisingly, many ALPA members choose not to wear identifying veteran “flair” because they view their service as a duty, not as an achievement to be recognized. As a veteran who spent 6 of my 12 years of active duty overseas, mostly in Afghanistan and Iraq, I can relate. We’re often torn between the desire to blend into our new roles and the deep craving for the connection we shared with those we served alongside in harm’s way.

Recently, I started wearing the veteran lanyard, and I quickly realized how many meaningful conversations it sparked, such as “Who did you serve with?” and “When did you deploy to ___?” Those simple questions rekindled a sense of camaraderie I hadn’t felt in years. I began to see the lanyard not as a humblebrag, but as a small symbol of solidarity among veterans, a quiet reminder that the esprit de corps never truly fades.

As our union’s newly appointed Veterans Affairs Subcommittee chair, my primary goal is to build meaningful connections among veterans and active servicemembers in ALPA pilot groups while also supporting those preparing to transition from military service to civilian aviation.

Finding Myself and My Calling

I wish I could say that when I enlisted in the Army in 2005, just out of high school, I felt a noble calling to serve. The truth is, I simply wanted to leave my hometown in central Texas and figure out who I was. None of my immediate family had served, and I had little idea what I was getting into. Thankfully, joining the military turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

During my first deployment to Iraq in 2006, I was accepted into Warrant Officer Candidate School and completed Army Flight School the following year as an AH-64D Apache helicopter pilot. Over the next decade, I advanced through various roles, including pilot in command, air mission commander, and maintenance test pilot. My final role was a production control officer, managing all the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for an attack battalion of 24 aircraft and several hundred maintainers.

A New Bond: Union Membership

When I separated from the Army in 2018, I carried with me a misconception shaped by my upbringing that unions were bureaucratic obstacles to professional progress. Influenced by this belief, I initially chose to work for a nonunion carrier. Thankfully, my experiences over the past six years at Frontier and now Delta have shown me the immense value that this union brings in advocating for pilots’ livelihoods and enhancing workplace standards. It may sound cliché, but the bond among my fellow ALPA pilots is the closest thing I’ve found to the camaraderie I once shared in uniform.

Moving forward in my role as ALPA Veterans Affairs chair, my goal is to strengthen that connection among the Association’s veteran members and to help separating servicemembers understand that same sense of solidarity—that a bond grounded not in rank or command, but in mutual respect, safety, and service to one another, can continue. Just like our time in the military, we’re still serving. Our service simply takes a different form.

Remembrance Day and Veterans Day

On November 11 in the United States, we celebrate Veterans Day as a federal holiday to honor those who have served our nation, past and present. Similarly, on November 11, Canadians observe Remembrance Day, which honors those who have served and continue to serve their country.

Veterans Day holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. I can personally attest to the sacrifices veterans have made in service to their grateful nations.

On behalf of ALPA in honor of the upcoming Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, and all other days, I want to sincerely thank all of our Canadian and U.S. military members for their service and the sacrifices they’ve made to protect our way of life. We are forever grateful for their selfless commitment.

The Canadian Cross of Sacrifice

I recently took the time on a DCA overnight to make the trek to Arlington National Cemetery to visit friends who are no longer with us—more than I’d like to admit. While I was there, I came across a monument that I’m ashamed to admit I hadn’t known existed until that day: the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, which stands as a reminder that the border between the United States and Canada remains the longest unguarded international boundary on Earth. It honors the triumphs and tragedies we have shared throughout our history. Erected by the Government of Canada, this monument honors U.S. citizens who served in the Canadian Army and gave their lives in the Great War (1914–1918). Similar inscriptions were later added to commemorate those who served in World War II and the Korean War.

Stand Together on November 11

Visiting the Canadian Cross of Service was a strong reminder to me that now more than ever, it is important that we stand in unity as ALPA pilots and support our fellow veterans. For those “quiet professionals” who are hesitant to wear the ALPA veteran lanyard, I can personally attest that wearing it has sparked more than a few rewarding conversations for me. As November 11 rapidly approaches, please consider wearing your veteran lanyard with pride—you are part of a community that supports you and appreciates the sacrifices you have made.

If you do not have an ALPA veteran lanyard, reach out to your Master Executive Council Veterans Affairs chair. If you need additional assistance with lanyards or have any other veteran-related questions, contact VeteransInfo@alpa.org.