Mike Causey

Labor Day Laborers

If you are working today two things: A, we salute you and B, we are trying desperately to ensure that most of us are off. But whether we (you and us) are in or ...

Federal News Network Staff

September 3, 2010 1:34 pm

3 min read

What could be more noble, more selfless than working on the Labor Day holiday? (Many would say there are lots of things, but let’s keep this at a higher level).

Bottom line is that while this is a major league, big-deal end of summer holiday for many people, there are lots of folks from retail to the tourist industry and lots of government workers who are on the job today.

For some there is nothing better than working on a holiday. Especially if certain in-laws are visiting.

Working on a holiday like this means less traffic. Less distractions at the office. And it can boost self-esteem.

Sometimes, not in retail, it also means you quality for holiday pay.

Whatever.

Over the years, and especially since 9/11/01, the number of feds who work holidays has apparently been on the rise. A number of threats (have been made public) have been blocked. But holidays, because of their symbolism and mass crowds, are prime watch-times.

Many members of the public (and probably many feds as well) don’t realize how many 24/7 operations Uncle Sam has going. How many people are required to work – whether in federal hospitals, guarding the borders, chasing crooks, doing research, inspecting nuclear plants, and food, sorting and moving mail, and on and on? It’s a long list.

In fact, if you are on duty today, drop us an e-mail.

Let us know, if you can, what you’re doing in the office today or tonight.

If you are helping make the U.S. a better, safer place, tell us. If you are playing catch up or avoiding the in-laws that’s okay too.

Meantime, whether you are inspecting a nuclear plant, watching a hurricane, helping fight wildfires or ready for an at-home cookout, have a happy Labor Day from the folks at WFED FederalNewsRadio.

We can’t speak for your other customers but we know we’d be lost without you 24/7.

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

Nearly Useless Factoid
by Suzanne Kubota

Uncle Sam is an artist. Or was. MentalFloss explains in order to save the hassle and expense of hiring a model, artist James Montgomery Flagg decided to paint a self-portrait when he designed the famous “I want YOU” recruitment posters for the U.S. Army.

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