
According to a quick Google search, Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is a national tribute to the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
There have no doubt been many, many wonderful contributions made by a multitude of workers in every facet of business and industry throughout America, but I would argue that no greater contributions have been made than by those of our Armed Forces and our Law Enforcement Officers.
Our Law Enforcement Officers and Armed Forces make great contributions every day, the vast majority of which you and I never even hear about. They make these contributions despite the challenges they face or the setbacks they suffer. They continue to show up for work and do their jobs to the best of their abilities amidst a swirl of negativity and a sea of tumult.
So, the very people who are at the center of what we will be celebrating will be working on Labor Day. Why? Because the fact that the rest of us will not be working increases terror threats from around the world and increases the chances that crimes will occur in our neighborhoods and in the places we will get together with our family and friends. Our military will be busy protecting us from terrorists and our police officers will have their hands full protecting us from each other.
I have met enough military personnel and count enough police officers as my friends to know that they don’t even give it a second thought. They knew the drill when they signed up. They took their oaths and embraced their responsibilities and they would not have it any other way.
They will go about their business so that we can step away from ours. Their families will spend the day without them while we get an extra day with ours.
Every single one of us needs to do our part to make sure they get home safe and, in the spirit of Labor Day, the least we can do is thank them for doing their best for us.
By Scott Arney, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union.