The Lexington Veterans Association brings veterans and community members together in fellowship to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
Serving Those Who Served
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There will be no Lexington Veterans Association Speaker Presentations in July and August 2026. The Speaker Series will resume on Monday, Sep 14, 2026.
Please join us on Monday, Sep 14, 2026
"From Suffragette to War Worker:
Stories of Women War Workers at Raytheon 1941-45"
1:15 pm
Brookhaven at 1010 Waltham St. Lexington
and by Zoom
Chet Michalak
Principal Technical Support Engineer,
Archivist and Historian, Raytheon Company,
US Army veteran
Please join us on Monday, Sep 14, 2026
"From Suffragette to War Worker:
Stories of Women War Workers at Raytheon 1941-45"
1:15 pm
Brookhaven at 1010 Waltham St. Lexington
and by Zoom
Chet Michalak
Principal Technical Support Engineer,
Archivist and Historian, Raytheon Company,
US Army veteran
Chet Michalak
This talk spans the 100-year fight for women’s rights, beginning with the Suffragette movement and the passing of the 19th amendment in 1920. It moves on to the great stock market crash on Black Monday in 1929, and the New Deal as a response to the Great Depression under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, before focusing on America’s entry in World War II in 1941.
Suddenly, war plants all over America needed female workers. Here in Massachusetts, Raytheon aggressively advertised for women workers with recruitment posters, newspaper, and radio ads. Soon, thousands of women were performing all types of electronic component production and assembly work from radar to radio tubes. At the insistence of Eleanore Roosevelt, the ranks of the military and other professions including Civil Defense, Red Cross, etc. became open to women.
At war’s end on September 2, 1945, tens of thousands of women were immediately laid off. Many women, however, found newly earned access to jobs once held by men. Women workers had now become the new consumer demographic.
Suddenly, war plants all over America needed female workers. Here in Massachusetts, Raytheon aggressively advertised for women workers with recruitment posters, newspaper, and radio ads. Soon, thousands of women were performing all types of electronic component production and assembly work from radar to radio tubes. At the insistence of Eleanore Roosevelt, the ranks of the military and other professions including Civil Defense, Red Cross, etc. became open to women.
At war’s end on September 2, 1945, tens of thousands of women were immediately laid off. Many women, however, found newly earned access to jobs once held by men. Women workers had now become the new consumer demographic.
Sponsored by the Lexington Veterans Association
Live at Brookhaven at Lexington and via Zoom.
The afternoon begins with coffee and conversation at 12:45 p.m.
The program begins at 1:15 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Live at Brookhaven at Lexington and via Zoom.
The afternoon begins with coffee and conversation at 12:45 p.m.
The program begins at 1:15 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Lexington Veterans
Proud to Participate in
Patriots' Day Parade!
The LexVets float, ready to join the Patriots' Day Parade on April 19.
Veterans of 3 wars: Bruce Jackan, left, veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, joins Korean War veteran Sal Pace, age 91, and Vietnam veteran Jim Ramsey at the Lexington Veterans float on Patriots' Day.
Celebrate Lex250!
Bulletin BoardCheck out veteran-related programs and events of interest around Lexington. Check in with timely veteran-related news articles.
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Speaker Series You’ll find our monthly presentations educational and inspiring. Listen to top-notch speakers on military-related subjects.
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Community ServiceWe are an active partner with other community organizations to honor and recognize veterans and to promote community support of the military.
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Veterans ResourcesNeed help with veterans benefits? Contact our Veterans Services Director to learn more.
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Veterans DayA Veterans Breakfast and a traditional Veterans Day ceremony marked the 2022 Veterans Day observance.
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LVA SurveyTell us about your military or non-military related service. Let us know how we’re doing, suggest future programs, and explore volunteering.
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We Are Grateful
To the following organizations and companies who have been invaluable supporters.
Please click on the logo to go to their homepage.
Please click on the logo to go to their homepage.
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Thanks to Dinesh Patel, MD, Sue Stering, and volunteers from the Lexington Town Celebrations Committee
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.