Labor Day…. Last Fling before Fall
by Cate Murway

“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, "Certainly, I can!" 
Then get busy and find out how to do it.”  
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, Jr. [1858-1919], the 26th USA President, the youngest person to assume the office following William McKinley's assassination.

Labor Day, a yearly national late summer tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country is this Monday, September 4, 2017. 
This rich history tradition is intended to pay tribute to American workers although now many just use the day to celebrate the end of summer.  
The very first Labor Day parade was a street parade to exhibit the esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations in the USA. It was led by the Central Labor Union on September 5th, 1882 in NYC’s Union Square with approximately 10,000 NY workers participating. The participants were on unpaid leave and some employers levied fines against workers who did not go into work. 








And it wasn’t on a Monday; it was a Tuesday.
President [Steven] Grover Cleveland [1837-1908] and the US Congress decided that it should be the first Monday of every September that would be set aside for the Labor Day celebration. 
Oregon became the first state to make it a public holiday in 1887 and by the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, 29 other states had officially adopted the commemoration.

In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, most American workers put in 12 hour, seven day work weeks. Conditions could be quite grim and the pay was paltry. It was necessary for the workers to work that much just to make a living.
Throughout American history, laborers had to fight to get better pay and shorter hours; evenings and weekends weren’t just handed over by lawmakers and benevolent managers.
Labor Day has its origins in the labor union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Now, for most, Labor Day is merely an extra day off of work, an end-of-summer three-day weekend.
So how are we keeping America strong?
P.S. It's a do-it-yourself project……. 

“There is no substitute for hard work.”  Inventor Thomas Alva Edison [1847-1931]









“Raising the Bar's efforts to revitalize Mill Street is part of a larger movement to focus on and recapture the significance of main streets throughout America. Walking Mill Street this summer and seeing so many laborers at work, carpenters, plumbers, painters, masons, with dumpsters, ladders and cherry pickers and delivery trucks seemingly everywhere was a welcome sight.”    Author Bill Pezza, Bristol Borough, PA









“Glad we have the privilege of working in the USA but sad to sell non made-in America products!!!!” 
MaryFran Ziegler, Newtown, PA

Those who think logically are a nice contrast to the real world.

“I participate in the Political process. I keep in contact with my elected officials, study the issues and vote.” 
Bill MacDonald, originally Bristol, PA / now Charlotte, NC

“I try to shop locally and contribute to local businesses as often as I can.”  Nick Zlupko, Southampton, PA

“Keeping America strong by supporting local communities and small businesses. As a small business owner my goal is to provide great service and a quality product that my clients will enjoy and remember for years to come.” 
Denise Strack, Just 4 Laughs Photobooth, LLC, Burlington, NJ

There is absolutely no substitute for genuine preparation.

“We show our American pride every holiday by flying the American flag, placing additional flags on our property, and lighting our red, white and blue lights from dusk to dawn. Our full-size American flag waves proudly every day of the year unless there is inclement weather. We are proud to be Americans!"  James and Nancy Nelson, Hulmeville, PA

 “WORKING, trying to buy American, teaching under achieving HS graduates skills so that they can participate in the American dream, volunteering, NOT listening to George Stephanopoulos and ABC, wondering about Community Organizer activities .....”   Alan J. Vogenberg, BSPharm, RPh, FASCP, Langhorne, PA

“By trying to teach my daughter and the other young people in my life the importance of listening to and respecting others' views and voices in our diverse nation. It takes a left wing and a right wing, working in tandem, for an eagle to soar.” Melissa M. Amour, Levittown, PA

“Divide & conquer weakens us. We need to remain UNITED even in times of great political differences.” 
Charmaine Sieger, Bensalem, PA

“Staying strong and positive; our ancestors made our Great Country what it is today, working hard and staying united! Keep the faith! God Bless America!”  Colleen Bresnahan, Langhorne, PA

KNEE-mail works….

“I pray every night for this country that I love so much.”  Helen Younglove, Bristol Borough, PA

“My way of "keeping America strong" may seem weird.
‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, seek my face, and turn from their wrong way, then will I hear from Heaven, forgive their wrong ways, and heal their land.’  II Chronicles 7:14.  
The "wrong ways" of the people who believe in God are lack of consistent daily praying for their nation. I once heard a sermon by an associate pastor where I was a pastor. His theme was "every prayer is like a vote and every vote counts". I followed up the sermon by having the people write just one verse on a 3X5 card to remind them to "vote" each day with a Scripture verse that they felt applied, to keep our nation peaceful and strong.
To keep America strong, just pray a simple prayer every day.”     Pastor Ed Jones, Wilmington, DE

“By praying for her and her leaders and by helping my neighbor.”  Roxanne Tuturice, Edgewater Park, NJ

One cannot tell which way the train went by just looking at the track.
Entrepreneurs and dreamers have always created the future and they keep it strong!
Live out loud. There are unlimited opportunities. Actions speak volumes.

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Inventor Thomas Alva Edison [1847-1931]

P.S. Some “facts”, although interesting, are irrelevant and history is not so black and white.
Once, light summer clothing only provided a pleasing contrast to drabber urban life, a look of leisure that was the uniform of choice for Americans well-to-do enough to decamp from their city digs. 
People in dark clothes were always scurrying to their jobs.
It is no longer a major faux pas to wear white after Labor Day. 
Thanks to current trend-setters, wearing white all year long IS acceptable. 
Especially in the world of fashion, rules are made to be broken. 
So rock your favorite white jeans!

Happy Labor Day!
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com


locks to docks in 19007
working on the clock in 19007
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