Who can believe Labor Day weekend is officially here? This summer literally flew.
Although Labor Day is known as the official end of summer we often forget Labor Day is our moment to celebrate the American Worker.
Regrettably, in Sullivan County employment opportunities offered to most of our work force is not as skilled, innovating, or challenging as it should be. Hopefully the ground work is finally being placed within our county to change that.
Despite all our economic woes, we are filled with dedicated and hardworking people.
We must be grateful that so many employed here do not leave our county to accept higher paying jobs elsewhere. They are truly committed to Sullivan County and must be applauded.
Thanks to the American Worker our homeland is the remarkable nation it is today. The labor movement is responsible for the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our great country.
I decided to do some research on Labor Day, and I found some interesting facts.
Unlike other holidays which commemorate events connected with conflicts and battles or American Heroes, Labor Day is different because it salutes no one single person or event.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. From that year on it became a yearly event.
The form the observance of Labor Day took was a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community.
After the parade, a festival for the recreation of the workers and their families was also to be held.
Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday.
An interesting fact I did not know was that the Sunday proceeding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
As we all know, the character of the Labor Day celebrations have undergone dramatic change in recent years. Parades and other events all over the country are not attended as they once were.
The holiday is viewed by many as a time to enjoy the official last weekend of the summer with family and friends.
No matter what we do this weekend, we should all take a moment to remember and reflect on the traditional ideals of the economic and political democracy of our society.
The force of the labor movement throughout our nation has brought us the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever imagined.
I would like to take this moment to thank all those who have contributed so much to our workforce in Sullivan County.
Happy Labor Day!