The IAM gathered at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD to remember 46 members that will be added to the hallowed memorial grounds.
With more than 100 IAM members attending, Monica Lee Silbas, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President, delivered the keynote address.
Silbas called on members to remember those who have passed and to commit to making things better at work.
“We do this for transportation workers, aerospace workers, healthcare workers, airline workers, government employees, factory workers, railroad workers, woodworkers and any worker we have lost,” said Silbas. “Commit yourself to improving the lives of all workers for the future of our children and our grandchildren.”
For weeks, Winpisinger Center groundskeepers have been preparing the area with love and care placing new bricks around the main memorial. IAM C.R.E.S.T. and Safety and Health Department coordinates the program each year.
“Just look around at the beautiful grounds that were built by IAM members,” said Silbas. “They built it with their hearts in their hands. It’s just too sad that more blocks more bricks had to be built. Remember the fight never stops not while we are still here.”
Immediately after the names were read out loud as a bell tolled each time in remembrance of a life lost.