Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 9 gathered at Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis to help prepare the site for the city’s upcoming Veterans Day Parade. Nearly twenty union members took part in the clean-up effort, representing 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 volunteers spent a morning collecting litter and hazardous materials to maintain the memorial as a clean and safe environment honoring military service members. Their work was aimed at ensuring that Soldiers Memorial remains a dignified space ahead of the annual parade.
“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,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “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 guidelines, each District and unaffiliated Local in the Midwest Territory will organize at least one H.E.L.P.S. event annually.
