We live in a time when the use of the word “hero” comes up in conversation often. We use the term in discussions of defenders of our country, those who Serve and Protect, those who respond to fires and other natural disasters, those who respond and volunteer in disastrous, dangerous, and emergency situations, medical personnel who do everything in their power to save lives and provide comfort and peace of mind to anyone who is battling disease or conditions, be they life ending or threatening, and be they physical and/or mental. The term has also been used to describe those who are working so hard in so many different ways to keep peace in this country and the world, who work to stop the prejudices infesting our cities and neighborhoods, and also those who have agreed to donate organs and blood so others may have a better chance of living. The people in all of these categories could be pictured in a dictionary next to the entry definition of the word “hero” as all are very appropriate examples of heroes.

We also hear the term hero used, at times, in terms of athletes playing games for a living, which in my opinion, is not appropriate. No disrespect to their talents and abilities, but what they do is not resulting in, or affecting, life and death. I enjoy sports and cheer for many athletes, though some I do not cheer for as their (in my opinion and in my mind) unsavory character and attitude supercedes their ability to score goals, hit home runs, make touchdowns, successfully shoot baskets, shoot under par, or serve aces. Regardless, athletes are not soldiers, or medical personnel, or responders, or any others whose job or service results in, or affects, life or death. That is not to say some athletes don’t do things as far as donating or volunteering, and those who do should be considered heroes for those efforts, but not for their athletics alone.

In between the two groups discussed in the last two paragraphs are many, many people who could be covered under the umbrella of “Unsung Heroes,” as their contribution to their families, our society, our country, and in some respects the world, with what they do in their everyday lives, positively affects lives.

I am speaking of the laborers of our country. Whatever the profession, career, job, or situation that has people going out each day, or some days, and working in any capacity, or who are contributing to the education and training of people who come up with ideas behind, or the manufacturing of goods and services which provides for the things we all need and many of us want, they are directly affecting our lives. Their labor efforts also affects the economy of this country as the spending of their salaries affects supply and demand which, if demand is great, increases the need for supply, and hopefully pushes our economy in an upward direction.

We’d have nothing without the laborers of this country. We’d have no food without those who grow or raise, harvest or prepare, ship, process, and sell the food [farmers, field workers, truckers, retailers, restauranteurs, (including chefs, cooks, wait staffs, servers, order takers and fillers, merchants and retailers, etc.)] we consume by putting on our tables or eating out, literally feeding our need for nourishment. There would be no places to reside or work in, without those who make and create the materials and tools necessary to build structures in which to live and work, not to mention those who create the plans for such structures, and those who do the actual building of those structures. We would have no means of transportation without the road builders, vehicle manufacturers, and/or mechanics to maintain such vehicles. We would have no public safety without police, fire, or emergency responders. We would have no means of maintaining our health without the many in the medical fields, be they physical or mental health fields. We would have no one who could do any of the existing jobs anywhere without the educational institutions of this country and the personnel in the field of Education who teach and train those who go out and do the things mentioned in this narrative.

We’d all be walking around in our birthday suits if not for those in the clothing industry, from the designers, to those who prepare threads and fabrics, the machinists and/or seamstresses who create the products, the truckers who deliver, the retailers who offer the products, and the sellers working in the stores.

This country would have no Freedom of Religion or Spiritual Belief (if that is a choice we wish to make as we live our lives) without the theologians, the interpreters of the various Holy Books of each religion, and the religious personnel who share the faith of their denomination with the congregations who share the same faith as they profess and teach.

And what would our communities look like if there were no road crews, park workers, sanitation workers?

Point of all of this is that ALL people who go out and work and labor, wherever, in whatever capacity, and for however long (hours per week or years per career), positively affect the lives of all of us. (This includes workers in all jobs and professions, those mentioned and those not mentioned.) If that isn’t covered by the definition of a hero, then, in my opinion, we should lobby to have it changed and make it part of the meaning. America is built on its freedoms, its principles, and its ideals. It was created by our founding fathers, and it is sustained, and continues to work, because of its work force. That is why tomorrow we pause to honor those who labor in this country.

So, as however we choose (or have chosen for us) to spend tomorrow, maybe with that final summer picnic, or that fireworks show, or a day on a boat, or a day on the job, some time when the opportunity presents itself, raise your glasses and offer a toast to all the laborers of this country. We appreciate all of you unsung heroes that keep this country going. God Bless you and God Bless America!