remembering Labor Day! CLICK to follow my favorite Union!
Karla contributed this wonderful drawing of her sisters ( alter egos) and her celebrating Labor Day! For those who you might not now the complete history of Labor Day , here is a link to the Department of Labor’s summary: CLICK HERE!
What do I remember most about Labor Day? I remember how I joined Local 93 of the Teamsters Union while working through college, the fun of Labor Day Picnics and the unwavering support of Labor in running for elective offices… I enjoyed winning, but when I lost it was not their fault.
Karla designed this sweet birthday greeting of her parents celebrating her mother's birthday!
Some people find birthdays — as I do — as friendly reminders to appreciate each day granted to us and show our appreciation to those who matter to us most. Happy Birthday, Laura….
You brought excellence, spirit and life into the Trojan Family. Thank you
In an age when winning soccer teams have to give up wins in order to make other teams feel better, it was refreshing to watch someone who would not settle for the silver medal… while a gold could be maintained.
The 4th of July and what some call the ‘American Experiment’ was an attempt by many to try government in a different way. People emigrated from their homes to America to not only make a better living, but hopefully have a better life and escape the drudgery of a life without the chance of upward mobility. If your grandfather and your father were laborers, there was a chance that you could do something else…. here, in America.
America’s goal has been to get everyone to the starting line and this was what made America different. The race was won by the swiftest and most talented and we rewarded achievement and we celebrated inventiveness and winning. By contrast, the old world thought it was luck or chance that determined any person’s destiny,; however, America proved that there was value to working for achievement… and striving to be the best you can be still has value and merit…. at least in some places in America.
We must remember what made America valuable to those who gave up everything to come here…. being ‘good enough’ in an increasingly competitive world, never participates.
The history of military ranks is a well researched subject and I will not repeat what so many have written more eloquently in the past, except to add a few points of interest.
The term ‘Major’ appears in many armies around the world, sometimes referred to as ‘commandant.’ As in so many things, with the change in technology over time armies have had to realign themselves for better command and control. The nature of the entire hierarchy changed somewhere in the 16th or 17th century. Certain European regiments found it useful to split into battalions with a Lieutenant Colonel as the commanding officer and the newly identified rank of ‘Major’ as the executive officer.
Historically, I think we can trace back the position of ‘Major’ much farther and at least to the time of ancient Sparta. In Sparta, a Major was called a “Tagmataches” which remains very close to the term for a Major in the modern Greek Army ( ‘Tagmatarchis’). In the army of SPQR, the Roman rank for the function of Major was called ‘Legatus.” Today, a Major remains more of a staff function than a line or operational position.
I am aware that my daughter Kristin has worked hard to be considered for this honor. So, I won’t go into all of the details of what I believe to be an exemplary career to date as it sounds too much like a father’s pride, and yet, I will say that her grandfathers would also have been very proud. I still can hear my father state proudly that his alma mater ( the Citadel) had more battle ribbons than Kristin’s (West Point), but he would add that ‘we are all on the same team, now.’ It is sad that they will not be here to see Kristin get ‘pinned’ this summer, but in spirit maybe, they will be smiling down on her.
On the practical side, although I have certainly seen enough Majors and Colonels make coffee runs for their commanding Generals, becoming a Major is certainly a significant achievement and a step in the learning process. As they say, one must learn to follow before one can lead.
