Labor Day honors American Workers. Are military members and military department civilians to be honored on Labor Day?

2015-09-02T14:59:18-04:00

Labor Day was initiated by a union member with the last name of McGuire - either (1) Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor or (2) Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
Although Labor Day was created to honor members of labor unions in the time of the industrial robber barons, Labor day has come to be a celebration of american work in general, the end of summer during which many school children head back to school, and in the northern states a time when the pools close the day after Labor Day. :-)
It is my contention that everyone who has served their country honorably whether in uniform or as a military department civilians is entitled to be honored and feel honored as an American worker.
http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm

The History of Labor Day - U.S. Department of Labor

President Woodrow Wilson (left) with American Federation of Labor President Samuel Gompers (center), and Labor Secretary William B. Wilson at an undated Labor Day rally.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 2 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-09-02T15:03:07-04:00

I worked before I became a soldier. I worked much harder as a soldier over the years as I did my part to serve my country and be wiling to defend this nation against enemies foreign and domestic. I believe that everyone who has worn a uniform of the military services and those civilian members of the military departments has fulfilled any requirement to receive honor on Labor day.
Hopefully each of us will be thanked on Labor Day and be able to enjoy the weekend with friends and family - for those deployed I hope you will be able to spend some time with friends - battle buddies.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 2 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-09-02T15:04:43-04:00

LTC Stephen F. Labor Day has become like all of the other holidays we celebrate through the year. It is not about laborers, it is about dollars. SALE! BIG SALE! LABOR DAY BLOW OUT EXTRAVAGANZA SALE!

Members of the U.S. Military in all branches labor hard for menial wages 24/7/365 they absolutely should be honored. IF there was anyone left honoring anything.

End Cynicism.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 2 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-09-02T15:45:05-04:00

LTC Stephen F. There could be a very good argument that you could indeed recognize the military active member on Labor Day, but my personal feeling is we shouldn't. We have to distinct holidays that already recognize the military and veterans in Memorial Day (those who gave the ultimate sacrifice) and many will argue that we shouldn't recognize living milittary members on that day (I think both should be recognized). Already had that argument on RP once before in a previous discussion. We have Veterans Day to recognize all the veterans (active, inactive, and retired), so let's leave Labor Day to the Civilian Population to be recognized for what they do. Just my humble opinion!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 2 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-09-02T15:45:52-04:00

There is a good movie called Labor Day

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 2 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-09-02T15:52:17-04:00

We already receive honors on Veterans day....also, by default, Memorial weekend (as we are continuing to hold the torch for those that have gone before), and 4th of July. Not to mention may communities hold civic celebrations where they honor military/vets. At the same time, as Labor Day has been identified as a holiday, we continue to receive the benefit of having it off...so we still get a bit of benefit from that one also!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 2 at 2015 4:25 PM

2015-09-02T16:25:11-04:00

Just another 3 day weekend for most people.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 2 at 2015 7:02 PM

2015-09-02T19:02:23-04:00

What is Labor Day now other than the end of summer? It really does not do anything specifically to honor workers other than giving many the day off. Most military get the day off and a 4-day weekend if they are not deployed or in training. I will stick with Veteran's Day which is specifically for us and Memorial Day for those that gave their all.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 2 at 2015 9:05 PM

2015-09-02T21:05:03-04:00

We have never made a big deal out of Labor Day. It has always been more of a time stamp to us than anything else.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 9:15 PM

2015-09-02T21:15:44-04:00

LTC Stephen F., No Sir, I can't agree Labor Day should include veterans. We have Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Soldiers Day, etc. When I did work as a civilian, I never got off on Labor Day, because I worked shift work, and it never fell on a day off. I don't consider it as a very important day, except for all the profits made from everything in the world being on sale.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 4 at 2015 12:14 PM

2015-09-04T12:14:39-04:00

MCPO Roger Collins posted this video which includes Paul Harvey narrating.
On the eve of the Labor Day weekend I thought it should be shared
Thank you MCPO Roger Collins
https://youtu.be/RUUZ2fKVqcs

Paul Harvey " Policeman " One of His Best Narrations

"Policeman" by Paul Harvey done in the style of that wonderful SUPER BOWL commercial "God Made A Farmer" narrated by Paul Harvey. This is a tribute to the ma...