Happy Veterans Day 2015: My Watch #veteransday

My airplane descended into Frankfurt, Germany, late November 1986 without incident. I collected my duffle bags and found the bus that would take me to the Rhein Main Air Base. It was bone-chilling cold that day and snow littered the ground. After waiting an extra day, the Army found me a unit to go to: the 583^rdOrdnance Company.  My watch had begun.

Me in Basic Training 1986

I joined the US Army in July 1986, filled with Patriotism. My President was Ronald Reagan and I was proud to serve my country. Sure, I was young, but I believed in my country, its freedoms, and the Constitution. I still do.

The first major event on my watch was the Fall of the Berlin Wall 3 years later. Hungary and Poland eased travel restrictions in the fall of 1989 and East Germany followed suit.  East Germany forced its leader out of office and a new government took over.  On 9 NOV 1989 the government announced new travel requirements to take effect “immediately” and the Berlin Wall came down.

My plane landed in Frankfurt on 10 NOV 1989. It was bone chilling cold day and snow littered the ground. I started my 2^nd tour in Germany, part of V Corps, assigned to the headquarters unit in the 11^th ACR. I witnessed Germany unification firsthand on 3 OCT 1990. History came alive for me that day. History I’ll never forget. The Cold War ended on my watch, and I’m most proud of that achievement.

The next major event on my watch was Operation Desert Shield/Storm (Gulf War I). Iraq invaded Kuwait and we fought back. I remained in Germany. The 11^th ACR deployed in support of Operation Positive Force from June-Sep 1991.

In DEC 1995 I arrived in Frankfurt for my 3^rd tour in Germany. My company deployed from DEC 95-96 in support of Operation Joint Guard, however I stayed in the rear. The following summer I deployed to Hungary from JUL-OCT 97 as part of the SFOR (Stabilization Force) a NATO peace enforcement mission. 

I left the Army in NOV 1997 after 11 years of service. My watch had ended. Since FEB 2000, I have worked as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I’m proud of my service, and proud to support the US Army during these events. I met some great people in the military and I’m grateful for Facebook so I can keep up with them. 

Since then, the military has been tasked with several worldwide missions dealing with the war on terror – from the Army to the Air Force to the Navy and Marines, and I just want to thank everyone who has served. It isn’t an easy job. Thank you for your patriotism, your sacrifice, and ensuring the freedom of this great country. 

What does Labor Day mean to You? #laborday

For those who have the holiday off – enjoy the time away from work with your family, BBQ, and relax. Me? I'm working the graveyard shift at the 911 call center. Some jobs require that selfless devotion to help others, so those with family members who are 1^st responders and in the military on duty this Labor Day, thank you for your service.

What does Labor Day mean to me? For a long time I thought it was an American holiday to celebrate the end of the summer season. It was the time to get ready for school and prepare for autumn. When I was younger, the adults in my life told me it was to celebrate the 'worker.' But what did that mean to be a 'worker?' And how do unions fit into Labor Day? Are unions just an entity that stuffs its pockets with fat contracts the government/employer can't afford, or do they secure the worker with fundamental rights regarding an 8 hours work day, overtime, and benefits?

"A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil." – Grover Cleveland.

Grover Cleveland was president in 1894, and it was he who signed the bill that made Labor Day a national holiday. Previous to his signing, 30 states recognized Labor Day as a state holiday. (In 1894 there were 44 states) 

When Cleveland signed the bill, the intent was to recognize the social and economic achievements of workers. The holiday was to be celebrated on the 1^st Monday of Sept (instead of in May) because Cleveland was concerned that if Labor Day was in May, it would be associated with the Communist Labor celebration usually held on 1 May. (International worker's day in Europe)

Originally, Labor Day was to be celebrated by local town/city street parades to exhibit to the public the strength and espirt de corps of the trade and labor organizers. After the parade there would be festivals for the people to enjoy. 120 years later, the parades are fewer, the festivals less. Now we travel, we BBQ, we relax. We rarely go to an organized parade or a festival in honor of the worker. The true meaning of Labor Day is lost on many Americans today.

Grover Cleveland was the 1^st Democrat elected after the Civil War in 1885. (The Civil War ended in April 1865.) He was known as a hard worker, honest, and fiscally responsible. He signed the bill making Labor Day a national holiday 6 days after the Pullman strike ended. The Pullman strike resonated nationwide in the summer of 1894. The Pullman company made railroad cars. In 1894, the company reduced workers wages, but not their rents if they lived in the community that supported the Pullman workers. The workers went on strike. Railroads stopped running west of Detroit, Michigan, because they wouldn't use a "Pullman" car. It got ugly when Cleveland sent in the military to end the strike. 30 workers dies, 57 were injured, and there was 80 millions dollars in property damage.

While Labor Day was a culmination of trade and workers' efforts over the years, (the earliest state labor days were celebrated in the early 1880's) it's ironic the national holiday was birthed in the aftermath of such a destructive labor strike.

Historians don’t rate Cleveland as a great president. They don't rate him on the bottom either. His legacy is mixed. He restored and strengthen power to the executive branch and brought and energy to the office not seen previously. However, Cleveland never offered a clear vision for America's future. His small town attributes that made him popular with the people; honesty, hard work, and independence. However, his small town thinking hindered his ability to truly lead as American grew in prominence on the world stage in the 1890's.

Question for all:  What does Labor Day mean for you?

Is Divergent Romantic? #divergent

The "Divergent" series is set in a dystopian future. There are five factions that contribute to the society – Amity, Erudite, Candor, Dauntless, and Abnegation. Each has a certain job to do.

The heroine, Beatrice "Tris" Prior, belongs to Abnegation. When she goes for her aptitude test, she learns she's 'divergent' with an aptitude for multiple factions. And being 'divergent' is not good.

When Beatrice switches to Dauntless, she meets 'Four,' a Dauntless initiate trainer. And her is where the 'romance.'

I wouldn't call "Divergent" romantic, but there are romantic elements peppered in the storytelling.

It's the buzz Tris feels when Four casually touches that infuses her skin.

It's the warmth in Tris' cheeks when Four stares at her.

It's the acceleration of Tris' heartbeat when Four pays her compliment.

Tris and Four gravitate toward each other in the face of adversity – this attraction offers not only them, but the reader, hope.

In "Divergent," there's no proclamation of love – just a 'knowing' that Tris and Four are meant to be together. Tris and Four hold hands, they touch, and perhaps in a gesture of trust and intimacy, they share each other's fear landscapes.

There's no traditional romance in the novel, but the reader knows its about the journey Tris and Four will make together and they need as much hope, trust, and respect that love will bring them.

QUESTION: Have you read "Divergent" or the series? Did you like the story? Why or why not?

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD.  She loves coffee, adores chocolate, and her favorite Divergent character is "Tris." 

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