Labor Day: Dedicated to American ingenuity and plain hard work
It literally takes your breath away when you see a F-35 in the sky over Fort Worth. The power. The speed. The precision. There’s nothing accidental on this aircraft. It’s a symbol of excellence in so many ways. A salute to our U.S. military personnel, who put their lives on the line for our freedom. A wave to the American patriotism it displays as it protects this great country from harm. A bow to the U.S.A for American ingenuity and the advances it brings to our world. And a gesture of respect to the workers who build this machine with their hands and their hearts.
That’s especially true this Labor Day.
Today is about celebrating workers and the generations of men and women who have moved mountains to get us to this place in history. We want to say thank you because we know it has not always been an easy task. For the typical Texan, the goal is simple. Go to work, be proud of what you do, come home and take care of your family and loved ones. But everything costs more these days. It’s harder to find a career than just a job. It’s tougher to take care of your kids when there’s so much standing in the way.
Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.
We applaud you for technological advancements like the F-35 and are grateful to be able to use the “Made in America” stamp across the Lone Star State. We are honored by the job you do here in Texas and that you’ve been doing it for decades.
A lot of the Texans working on the F-35 line at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth are second, third or even fourth generation. Their families have had a front row seat to witness progress in the aerospace industry. Many local communities have shared in the success as this aircraft program has brought thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to a state that prides itself on a hard day’s work.
They call the F-35 a flying super computer. It is the fifth generation of fighter aircrafts since flying machines hit the skies at Kitty Hawk. Eventually, 12 countries around the world will own these aircrafts. They will be used throughout the U.S. military in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to protect our great nation.
All of that makes the F-35 one of the best examples of what Labor Day truly means. It’s a nod to American ingenuity. A flying symbol of the workers who build it and the U.S. military, which flies it. That’s one reason why so many live and die to be part of the United States.
In Texas and around the country, many workers and their families will gather today to share a meal and some time together. That’s why this holiday exists — to recognize the accomplishments that American workers have made to the advancement of this country. It’s a very small thank you for the very big job that you do.
In Fort Worth, proof of those successes can be seen flying overhead as the F-35 takes off and lands over at Lockheed Martin. Just look up and you’ll see the very best of what America has to offer, right here in Texas.
From all of us at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, we wish you and your families a Happy and Safe Labor Day!
Mark A. Blondin is the general vice president of the Southern Territory of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). He oversees 14 states in the South, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has been a member of the Machinists Union since 1978.
This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Labor Day: Dedicated to American ingenuity and plain hard work."