Maintenance Team Member Embodies Service to Country, Foundry
Megan Mulholland | Waupaca FoundryDamon Simmons, a melt maintenance team member at Plant 1, a gray iron foundry in Waupaca, Wis. embodies the values of service and dedication in both his military and professional life.
Simmons grew up in Manawa, Wis., and graduated from Gresham High School in 2010. He enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving for six years and earning the rank of Private First Class. “I was just a kid, trying to find somewhere where I felt like a part of the place,” Simmons recalled. He trained at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Georgia, before joining Battery A, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment in Marshfield, Wis. as a field artillery assistant gunner.
Although he did not serve overseas, Simmons is a veteran thanks to H.R. 6416, a bill signed by President Obama that says National Guard and Reserve retirees with no active-duty time are veterans.
Simmons dedicated himself to his military role, attending drill weekends one weekend a month and two weeks of annual training. The National Guard shaped his life, instilling leadership skills, a strong work ethic, and a sense of camaraderie — qualities he uses at Waupaca Foundry. “The camaraderie is what keeps you around, the people,” he said.
When Simmons moved from Shawano, Wis. back to the Waupaca, Wis. area, he sought employment at the Foundry. “I fell in love with the place. It reminded me of the military,” he shared. “This reminds me of fond memories and people who have shaped me into the person I am.”
Like in the National Guard, Simmons found structure and teamwork at the jobbing Foundry. The skills he learned in the military, such as following orders, working efficiently, and maintaining focus, translated seamlessly into his job in maintenance. “When you know how to follow orders, the job is much easier. I was trainable. I listen and do what they tell me to do and then go above and beyond because I can do it quickly and safely.”
Simmons performs general maintenance during the week and preventative maintenance on weekends, which mirrors the structure and discipline he grew accustomed to in the military. “You have to have things done by a set time. You have to keep your eyes on task,” he said, drawing a parallel between the strict timelines in the National Guard and the iron casting Foundry.
Throughout his service, Waupaca Foundry was supportive and accommodating of Simmons’s schedule. “I was on third shift, and it was difficult to swing my drill weekends in there because I needed to be there for startups on Sundays. I would have to take the entire day off or come in at midnight. I would take off the Friday before drill, and they often gave extra days off,” he said. “They knew I would be gone that weekend, making sure I had the coverage needed to come back and work safely.”
One time his drill weekend shifted unexpectedly; the Plant 1 leadership team did not hesitate to support him. “They said they would get it figured out, and for me to take it easy. The Foundry always helps military and veterans in their employment strive and succeed, whether it is here or during their military trainings,” Simmons said.
Waupaca Foundry is proud to employ many people who are veterans. Ten percent of our employees have served in uniform, and we thank them for their service.
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Retired Army National Guard, Damon Simmons, works in Maintenance at Waupaca Foundry's Plant 1.
Although he did not serve overseas, Simmons is a veteran thanks to H.R. 6416, a bill signed by President Obama that says National Guard and Reserve retirees with no active-duty time are veterans.
Simmons dedicated himself to his military role, attending drill weekends one weekend a month and two weeks of annual training. The National Guard shaped his life, instilling leadership skills, a strong work ethic, and a sense of camaraderie — qualities he uses at Waupaca Foundry. “The camaraderie is what keeps you around, the people,” he said.
When Simmons moved from Shawano, Wis. back to the Waupaca, Wis. area, he sought employment at the Foundry. “I fell in love with the place. It reminded me of the military,” he shared. “This reminds me of fond memories and people who have shaped me into the person I am.”
Like in the National Guard, Simmons found structure and teamwork at the jobbing Foundry. The skills he learned in the military, such as following orders, working efficiently, and maintaining focus, translated seamlessly into his job in maintenance. “When you know how to follow orders, the job is much easier. I was trainable. I listen and do what they tell me to do and then go above and beyond because I can do it quickly and safely.”
Simmons performs general maintenance during the week and preventative maintenance on weekends, which mirrors the structure and discipline he grew accustomed to in the military. “You have to have things done by a set time. You have to keep your eyes on task,” he said, drawing a parallel between the strict timelines in the National Guard and the iron casting Foundry.
Throughout his service, Waupaca Foundry was supportive and accommodating of Simmons’s schedule. “I was on third shift, and it was difficult to swing my drill weekends in there because I needed to be there for startups on Sundays. I would have to take the entire day off or come in at midnight. I would take off the Friday before drill, and they often gave extra days off,” he said. “They knew I would be gone that weekend, making sure I had the coverage needed to come back and work safely.”
One time his drill weekend shifted unexpectedly; the Plant 1 leadership team did not hesitate to support him. “They said they would get it figured out, and for me to take it easy. The Foundry always helps military and veterans in their employment strive and succeed, whether it is here or during their military trainings,” Simmons said.
Waupaca Foundry is proud to employ many people who are veterans. Ten percent of our employees have served in uniform, and we thank them for their service.
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