Giving BACk to Our Communities
Local 2 New York
Veteran and Local 2 NY member Phillip Colarusso believes deeply in recognizing those who serve their country. Nestled in Stillwater, New York, near the historic Saratoga Battlefield, site of a crucial American victory during the Revolutionary War, Colarusso paid homage to his fellow veterans by designing and building a memorial honoring all service men and women at the Earl J. Manning American Legion Post 490. On the first phase of the project, Colarusso installed stone, footings and plaques. He has since added a serpentine walkway.
Local 3 Iowa
For some time, Local 3 IA members have donated their time and energy constructing the masonry components of the Union Labor Park in Des Moines. From planters to pillars, members have been involved every step of the way, thanks to the organizational efforts of President Gary Crees. The Labor Park can be rented by any union member for a modest fee that is applied to the park’s maintenance costs.
Local 3 New York
Last June, after vandals badly damaged the Seneca Union Cemetery in Valois, NY, members of Local 3 NY stepped in to offer their assistance. Forty headstones, some dating back 150 years, had been overturned, 30 were broken, and an additional ten were in need of serious repair. After member Tim Dunlap brought the incident to the attention of Vice President Scott Stringer, they joined members Steve Harvey, Larry Edwards and Bill Leonard for eight demanding days involving grinding, cement application, fitting the stones and performing finishing work. The Seneca Union Cemetery Association (SUCA) was grateful for their volunteer efforts. SUCA President John Heebner said of their work, “It’s an incredible thing they are doing.” The Cemetery was established in 1814 and is the final resting place of veterans dating back to the Civil War.
Local 3 Arizona/New Mexico/Texas
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Photo by Local 3 Organizer Marvin Duran |
This spring, Local 3 AZ/NM/TX apprentices from the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Center in New Mexico constructed a monument in honor of Highland High School’s varsity third baseman Ryan Vigil. Ryan, 17 and a member of Empower, a group dedicated to reducing gun violence, was fatally shot in October 2007.
Materials for the monument were donated by BAC signatory contractor Precision Masonry, Inc. of Albuquerque. From left, Local 3 apprentices Ponciano Batres and Cezar Valasquez, Apprentice Instructor Pete Cano, Precision Masonry co-owner Michael Espinosa, apprentice Kevin Estrada, Precision Masonry co-owner Mike Keenan, and apprentices Jeremiah Wessing and Jerry Dean Wayne.
Wisconsin Administrative District Council
On September 29, 2007, members of Local 34 WI of the WI ADC gathered to restore the Baraboo War Memorial in Baraboo, WI. Members Larry Schara, Larry Volkey, Sr., David White, Terry “Jake” Meiser, Kevin Murphy, Ted Staedter and Antoni Wolan worked on the project along with WI ADC Instructor Mike Williams and Field Representative James Vick. The memorial honors all men and women who served or are serving in the armed forces.
Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky
Last May, Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky apprentices restored the Forsythe Park War Memorial in Hammond, Indiana, which included tuck-pointing the granite and brick monument and etching worn mortar. The restoration was a community affair with many organizations chipping in to cover the $8,000 cost. The Whiting Lions Club rededicated the War Memorial on
June 16, 2007.
Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware
 In November 2007, Local 1 PA/DE President John Phillips was asked by U.S. Representative Joseph Sestak (D-PA) to serve on the 7th Congressional District Labor Advisory Committee. Impressed by Phillips’ dedication to the labor movement, Sestak plans to bring together a broad cross-section of labor leaders to address the concerns of working families. Committee members will use the quarterly meetings to advise Rep. Sestak, a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, on legislation, current practices, labor concerns and other relevant issues.
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