To all people of Mexican origin, or simply diehard party people, Happy Cinco De Mayo. Today, and all of this week, is cause for a grand celebration – for many reasons.
I’d like to focus on our public servants. This is Public Service Employees Recognition Week in the U.S., which made its debut in 1985. Coincidentally, this occurs during the first week of May. May 1st is celebrated as “Workers’ Day” or “May Day” in many countries around the world. Perhaps this wasn’t coincidental after all. I’m not sure of the reasons for or timing of Public Service Employees Recognition Week. This may have been our opportunity to respond to “May Day,” which many associate with socialist or communist societies.
Here in the U.S., I believe most people value the efforts of our hardworking public servants. Everyday our lives are touched by their commitment and industry.
After I retired from the U.S. government this January after nearly 35 years, I began substitute teaching. Present company excluded, our school teachers give so much of themselves and our children crave their time and attention, that we owe them a great debt. In fact, I was so impressed with the work (and plight) of primary grade teachers, that I recently penned an article entitled “Second Grade Teachers Are Saints.” You’ll find it on my web site (www.yetmo.com) under the category “Education.” Well, that’s enough shameless self-promotion.
Seriously, our federal, state, and local government employees are critical to our daily lives. They protect us (police and public health officials). They help us grow economically, and even provide us solace and recreation (transportation, planning, and parks officials). They pave roads, and install or repair water lines. They bravely serve us in wars. They are on the front lines, honoring their commitment to their country and serving as model citizens.
Much can be said about the size and expense of government. Statistics never fail to prove that government, regardless of what’s happening, continues to grow. Many consider that prima facie proof of waste and unnecessary government levels.
Let’s leave discussions about the level of government spending to another day. Today let’s celebrate and affirm the work of millions of Americans who help us in nearly every aspect of our daily lives – and do so consistently and extremely well. Many of these servants are strangers, unknown to us. But many are family, friends, neighbors, members of our churches or social clubs, and more. They are tasked with jobs that many would fear tackling. Remember Hurricane Katrina. Imagine yourself as a public safety or emergency management official. Your job is to respond. Your job is to function in incredibly difficult situations. Your job is to fight and conquer Mother Nature, or at latest battle her to a stalemate. This is not easy or desirable work.
From experience, I can confidently report that many more government employees are tasked with jobs and assignments that can’t be squeezed into an 8-hour day. Long gone are the apocryphal days of the idle civil servant, who stacks Styrofoam coffee cups for lack of any productive assignments. Most employees I know are overworked. Their project assignment lists continue to increase. The desire to do more – and do it better – grows seemingly exponentially every few years. The illusion of technology seduces us into believing that we can do and control everything. As a result, our public employees are being placed under greater stress every day.
As this first week of May comes to a close, please reflect for just a few minutes and think about the services and assistance you have received and how your daily life is impacted by those in the Civil Service.
I, for one, would like to say thank you. I appreciate your service.
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Fred W. Apelquist, III, M. Ed.
Approximately 620 words.
© 2006