Former MYP Team Member John Gambino sends his personal reflections on Federal holidays to coworkers & friends. I like to share them with the MYP Community. Enjoy!
To all
As I become more curmudgeonly and tell people in the office “how it was when I was their age” I realize I have become one of the old guys I used to work with all those years ago. I become nostalgic for the way things were even though we all worked like dogs back then. We travelled in unairconditioned subway cars in 3 piece suit with ties and sat in offices without air conditioning. We had large staffs that looked up vessels in the Lloyds Register to determine overage penalties, monthly bordereaux reports listing the voyages, and rate schedules that were 3 pages long. We received an extra 30 minutes every other Friday so we could cash our checks on payday. That was my reality. Today, we are so much more efficient today—why think of the past?
As the 4th of July approaches, I realize that everyone (I think) with whom I now work did not have a father or uncle who served in WWII. Maybe not even Korea. The wars their family members fought in and for do not have that “save the world” story associated with them. Perhaps 4th of July parades do not carry that sense of accomplishment and of victory that the parades of my youth called forth. The realities of those younger than me are what builds their cornerstones in business and in life. They are different than mine but no less formative. Yet for young and old alike our overall recognition of the 4th is still celebrated by all and the history of it has not changed. This imperfect union still stands 238 years later and we keep making this country better and better for all in so many ways. We sometimes take a step backwards but the overall trajectory is forward. I understand that certain financial obstacles have arisen and we may feel less economically secure than in the past but the majority are doing well and unemployment stays quite low. Socially we continue to stride forward as we continue to strive towards a nation of the people, by the people and for the people. Hate has been amplified in the past year due to global conditions, but I have every confidence that these issues too shall pass and we will be more unified than ever as a nation as all come to realize that the USA is still the best place to live. I can have nostalgia for the past, but today is truly a great time to be alive in America. Our candidates need to stress the exceptionalism of this country, to see our best days ahead and not behind, and to govern with morality and a sense of right versus wrong.
So I now express my best wishes to you this 4th of July. Enjoy the apple pie, the parades and the hopefully great weather. Thank those that keep us safe when you see them in uniform this holiday and take a moment or two to yourselves to reflect on all America has accomplished here and abroad for the betterment of mankind. We can always do better but not one other country has truly been the beacon on the hill that serves as a refuge to all and lights the way forward.
Happy 4th of July
John