Do you know why Labor Day is a national holiday, recognized nationwide? If your answer is no – you will now be informed. If your answer is yes – keep reading anyway!
During America’s Industrial Revolution (latter half of the 1800’s) the unbearable working conditions eventually led to an uproar – between employers and employees. Worker unions were created and served as the primary catalyst for establishing a political backbone. They organized rallies and strikes that were essential in trying to establish a positive outcome for laborers. Some of these rallies and strikes turned violent, unfortunately leaving casualties. Yet, a trailblazing event took place on September 5, 1882 (which is nationally recognized as the first Labor Day parade). On this day, thousands of activists marched in New York City – from City Hall through Union Square, all knowing they were not going to be paid for this time off. Concerts, picnics and speeches occurred on this day as well.
During this time two members of different unions received credited for coining this idea/day. The two men have closely structured last names, but are not related. Matthew Maguire (Secretary of the Central Labor Union) and Peter McGuire (American Federation of Labor co-founder).
Matthew Maguire initiated the type of strikes aimed toward exposing unsafe factory conditions and employee hours in the 1870’s. Matthew’s outspoken political views were deemed outstretched for the time frame and therefore were responsible for his demotion as Labor Day’s founding father.
Peter McGuire is depicted as advocating this idea/day/parade concept in front of New York Central Labor Union, on May 12, 1882. Peter’s initiated strikes brought change and evolution to work hours – the standard eight hour workday, still withstanding today!
The year of 1894 manifested approval by congress and thereby President Grover Cleveland announced a national holiday to occur every first Monday of September, now known as Labor Day.
So now that you’re informed about history of this day, do not come in to work on Monday! Enjoy your day off!
Lessons from a week-long experience, featuring the Secretary of Defense, some generals and admirals, and scores of young men and women in uniform
In March, I was selected to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC), the oldest and most prestigious U.S. Department of Defense public liaison program. As one of 36 JCOC participants, I spent seven days, from June 10-16, 2018, at military installations throughout the southeast, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. service members. In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, our group was provided top-level briefings that gave us a deeper understanding of the roles and
mission of the U.S. Armed Forces, with emphasis on skills, capabilities, and the equipment employed in defense of our nation.
The experience was life-changing.
OUR JOURNEY
My journey began with a deep respect for all who’ve served – including my father and several uncles – but also an unease about war, particularly as a first option.
I shared my journey with top-notch, civilian leaders from both the public and private sectors – a veritable “Who’s Who” of those heading some of our nation’s largest, best-known, or impactful organizations. We not only shared a path, we also helped each other broaden our perspectives.
As a tiny sampling of some things I saw and did, at Fort Bragg we spent the day with U.S. Army Special Operations and took part in a simulated hostage situation. At the conclusion of the day we were “rescued” from a rooftop by the Army Rangers who “took down” a small town – with bombs, bullets, dogs, helicopters, and sharpshooters – and ushered us to safety on Chinook helicopters. From there, we were taken to a dormant airfield, where we ventured into the woods, dined on road-kill prepared by the Army’s top survival specialists, and then celebrated the Army’s 243rd birthday with the Green Berets singing the Army song and eating cake cut by swords. And that was just one of seven days.
I began the week having never fired a gun – and before it ended, I’d been on a target range with an M-16, M-4, SR-26, M2010, M110, and a Glock handgun. Each of these weapons feature tremendous power, which they, in turn, convey to all who use them. My overall experience, both with the weapons and those who regularly use them – served to reinforce my long-held belief that with power comes responsibility and a duty to practice restraint. I was pleased to learn this perspective is shared by those servicemen and women I met during my participation in the JCOC program.
IN AWE OF OUR MILITARY
Beyond the bombs and bullets, ships and jets, there were the people – the men and women of the armed forces, many of whom are younger than 20 – who are the essence of the U.S. military. Beyond bravery and service were core values common to all – loyalty, duty, respect, integrity, and honor. Beyond the uniforms and crisp salutes was a resolute professionalism, academic rigor, leadership development, and relentless drive towards improvement. I was in awe of the military might I saw displayed, and humbled by the sacrifice of others. As much as I learned about our Armed Forces, I learned even more about our society and humanity.
KEY TAKEWAYS
There’s a great deal that 99 percent of us can learn from the less than one percent of all Americans currently serving in the military (of note, 70 percent of eligible Americans cannot serve, due to poor health/fitness, addiction, a criminal record, or related issues).* Here are several key items:
Develop, articulate, and live your core values. Stand for something bigger than yourself.
Commit yourself to life-long learning, re-tooling, and re-training. Constantly and rigorously assess and evaluate.
Life is filled with important assignments – each is much like a mission. Have a clear objective and communicate it widely, up and down the literal or figurative chain of command.
No person or organization is an island unto itself. Appreciate and understand your responsibilities, and be ready to learn from others.
Have a Plan B and a Plan C at the ready … and be prepared to use them if a situation evolves.
Respect yourself and others; fill your personal foxhole with those you trust.
Take care of your body, mind, and soul.*
Stress is natural and inevitable – learn to work with it.
Discipline is far more than just a loud voice. It’s about commitment to training, teamwork, and others.
Everyone can be a leader, no matter what their rank or title.
Always give yourself and others a second chance.
Put the needs of those under your command or direction ahead of your own.
SUMMARY
We rarely saw service personnel wearing their military finest — most were typically clad in camouflage-style uniforms. This style is certainly more functional and comfortable, and the ultimate aim is to blend into the environment. Yet the more we saw of the men and women representing the various branches of our military, even in their camo garb, the less they blended in and the more they stood out for the heroes they are.
While we may not all agree about certain policies or missions, my hope is that we stand together in respecting those who stand ready to defend our country.
“Pancreatic Cancer does not have a face until it’s someone that you know” This is the sign of the times when it comes to Pancreatic Cancer. In the years that I have been actively involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network NJ Affiliate; I have watched many folks walk right past the table at awareness events, shuddering at the words “Pancreatic Cancer.” Many pull their children away from the table as to not expose them to the facts, statistics, and rawness of this disease.
My initial interest in getting involved was my father’s diagnosis and death only a few short weeks later. I spent months trying to comprehend the idea that the survival rate at that time was just 6%. I needed to do something. There were too many people that would suffer the same fate. My first affiliate meeting a few years ago has turned into my passion, my purpose, and my path.
Survivors are my motivation. They fuel the fire in me. Due to the nature of this insidious cancer, many don’t consider themselves survivors. We honor all survivors, from the first day they are diagnosed. We are their allies, we offer a place of hope and spirit.
We have watched the survival rate rise slowly to 9%. The mission is clear; keep moving forward, keep fighting, and always remind them, that they are defeating the odds each day!
Our survivors need us. They deserve someone to fight for them, to be an advocate, to echo their voices, to stand up for them. While the survival rate is rising, Pancreatic Cancer is now the 3rd leading cause of cancer related deaths. This is unacceptable.
It’s more important than ever to Step Up for Survivors, to let them know that we are in their corner, that they aren’t fighting alone. Whether they were diagnosed today, yesterday, or years ago, I will fight for your future. I will fight for more funding and research. I will fight so no one else has to lose their loved one.
Simply put, our survivors DEMAND BETTER.
For more information on Pancreatic Cancer visit: www.pancan.org.
If you want to join the fight, please email me at Pgirimonte@pancanvolunteer.org
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Do you know why Labor Day is a national holiday, recognized nationwide? If your answer is no – you will now be informed. If your answer is yes – keep reading anyway!
Lessons from a week-long experience, featuring the Secretary of Defense, some generals and admirals, and scores of young men and women in uniform
“Pancreatic Cancer does not have a face until it’s someone that you know” This is the sign of the times when it comes to Pancreatic Cancer. In the years that I have been actively involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network NJ Affiliate; I have watched many folks walk right past the table at awareness events, shuddering at the words “Pancreatic Cancer.” Many pull their children away from the table as to not expose them to the facts, statistics, and rawness of this disease.
