Ironworkers Local 8 Hosts 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony, Game Day Tribute
Honor Fallen Ironworkers, Recognize Milwaukee and Wisconsin Construction Building Trades
MILWAUKEE – Ironworkers Local 8 will host the Iron Sharpens Iron Remembrance Ceremony to pay tribute to three fallen ironworkers, Jeffrey Wischer, William DeGrave and Jerome Starr, who tragically perished when the “Big Blue” crane collapsed during the construction of Miller Park (now American Family Field). The ceremony will feature remarks from the Ironworkers Local 8, Milwaukee / Wisconsin Building Construction Trade, the Milwaukee Brewers and community leaders.
The fallen ironworkers will be further remembered during a pre-game tribute program before the Brewers take on the Washington Nationals at 1:10 p.m. The pre-game tribute will include a video feature, moment of silence and special first pitch from Ironworkers Local 8. Game day credentials are required for those interested in capturing the pre-game tribute and can apply at credentials.mlb.com.
WHO:
Remembrance Ceremony:
• Dan Bukiewicz, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council (MBCTC), President
• Ken Fisher, Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Pastor
• Rick Schlesinger, Brewers, President – Business Operations
• Wendy Selig-Prieb, Brewers former President & CEO
• Allen H. “Bud” Selig, Commissioner Emeritus
• Robert Habush, Habush Habush & Rottier, former Chairman
• John Norquist, City of Milwaukee, former Mayor
• Brent Emons, Ironworkers Local 8, former Business Manager
• Lyle Balistreri, MBCTC, former President
Pre-Game Tribute Program:
First pitch by Charlie Falkner, Ironworkers Local 8, Business Manager
Families of the fallen and members of Ironworkers Local 8 and other Milwaukee / Wisconsin
Construction Building trades will be present for both events.WHEN: Sunday, July 14, 2024
10:30 a.m. | Remembrance Ceremony (30 minutes) – credentials not required
1:10 p.m. | Pre-game Tribute Program (Brewers vs. Nationals) – credentials required
WHERE: American Family Field 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214
Remembrance Ceremony: Workers Walkway / Teamwork Monument / Home Plate Plaza (public access)
Pre-game Tribute Program: Restricted/ticketed access – apply for credentials at credentials.mlb.com
WHY: To mark the 25th anniversary and pay tribute to three fallen ironworkers, Jeffrey Wischer, William DeGrave and Jerome Starr, and to recognize the contributions of the members of Ironworkers Local 8 and other Milwaukee / Wisconsin Building Construction Trades who were working on the construction of Miller Park on July 14, 1999 – the day the “Big Blue” crane accident occurred while trying to set a section of roof over the ballpark. The memorial site, Workers Walkway and Teamwork Statue located at American Family Field, was commissioned as a donation by Habush Habush & Rottier Law, which represented the widows of Wischer, DeGrave and Starr.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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