JUST REMEMBERING

HONORING OUR BRAVE MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN
REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED

Memorial Day is a solemn day, one filled with thoughts and feelings of those who have gone before us; our relatives and honored Armed Service men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our families and beloved Country.

I don’t possess the written eloquence to pay sufficient homage and thanks to those who have given so much including their lives; they have my endless respect and admiration.

I was just remembering those in my family who passed way too soon and quite often I find myself wondering what kind of world it would be if these fine human beings had stayed just a while longer among us. We all have friends and relatives who left us early; everyone can relate to a life seemingly not fully lived and cut short.

We should all give thanks for the heroes among us who served our Country and our families with dignity, silent strength and giving souls. God has filled his ‘pantry’ with some of the world’s most precious creations; we miss them all.

I quite often find myself thinking back to better days at Delta and wonder what might have been had we had a more steady hand at the helm during trying times and financially difficult junctures in our history.

I was just remembering how hassle free my medical benefits used to be and fondly recall being able to visit my medical practitioners easily receiving the medicine and help I needed without delay or obstacles.

I remember making a decent living, being able to pay all my bills on time and having enough left over for relaxation and recreation. I looked through the old pay stubs the other day and was stunned at what I used to make 10 years ago.

I remember having Delta agents who I could call should a problem arise with pay or health issues and wish those days would have never ended. There is really no reason beyond our own missteps and incompetence that we couldn’t have that kind of work life again. Recessions and bad economies come and go and in the past they didn’t turn the boat over and cause us all to swim for shore. Why should now be any different?

What we are missing currently is a steady hand and voice to help protect what we still have and build upon what we most desperately need. This Memorial Day let’s pay our respects to those who have left and gone to their rewards; let’s concentrate on building a foundation that will supply us who remain the kind of memories one can look back upon with pride and inner strength.

I was just remembering how good it used to be and know with a little hard work and perseverance we will have that kind of justice in the workplace again. Let’s do it together. The IAM is willing to be that voice and will show us the way to find our deserved place on top of the airline world in pay, benefits and customer satisfaction.