Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 9 gathered at Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis to prepare the site for the city’s upcoming Veterans Day Parade. The volunteer effort involved nearly twenty IAM members from both the District 9 Veterans Committee and the H.E.L.P.S. Committee, with participation from Locals 41, 1745, 688, 313, 1345, 777, and 2782.
The group spent a morning cleaning up litter and debris around the memorial grounds. Some hazardous materials were also removed to ensure that the space remains safe and suitable for honoring veterans.
Sam Cicinelli, IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President, stated: “Keeping Soldiers Memorial clean and parade-ready is more than a project, it’s a statement of respect. District 9 members once again demonstrated the heart of this union by showing up for our veterans. A sincere thank you to every member who donated their time to support this meaningful project and help prepare Soldiers Memorial for Veterans Day.”
The H.E.L.P.S. initiative stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing. According to IAM policy in the Midwest Territory, each district or unaffiliated local is expected to host at least one H.E.L.P.S. event annually.
