America Deserves A Raise

Today I turned 18.  I was born on Father’s Day in 1992.  As I celebrated Father’s Day yesterday with my dad, I really took the time to reflect on how much he has done for me and my family.  Not only does my dad represent what a great father is, but he also represents what a great employee is.

I would love to honor my dad by nominating him for a much deserved and needed raise.  My dad has worked for the same company for nearly 24 years and has never called in sick.  He worked crazy hours while my brother, sister and I were babies and even preschoolers.  We had no idea how rough he had it as he tried to sleep during the day and work throughout the night.  I imagine he could have been really grouchy and mad at us for behaving as “rambunctious children” as we went about our care-free lives unaware of the sacrifice our dad was making to provide for us. 

It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I learned how my dad lost promotions by not taking job assignments that would have uprooted our family.  He wanted us to have a stable home and be able to live near family and established friends and continue in the schools where we played sports.  We just took for granted that this is what dads do….everything for their families without question.

Now that I am older and have seen many of the families of my friends and acquaintances, I discovered that my dad’s behavior is NOT the norm but the exception.  He not only is a father to his own children, but also a father-figure to many of my brothers’ friends as well.

I also learned that he is a mentor to many young men who work for him.  He sets the bar high and expects his employees to respect themselves and each other.  He has seen hundreds of men and women go through his various shifts at work and if you were to ask any of them if they know my dad, they would invariably say “yes, he is a great guy”. 

My dad is always commenting on how he can’t wait to retire.  He is only 47 and retirement is quite a ways down the road, but I know that his working crazy hours really has taken its toll on him.  I would love to help him defray the costs of putting my brother and I through college these next four years and maybe even afford to give him a little vacation.  Receiving this “raise” would certainly make that possible.

It is my sincere desire to honor a man who not only respects his family, but brings integrity and honor to his job, company and co-workers.  He deserves a raise for being a role model to his children and to another generation of employees who witness daily what it means to be a man of character, a manager with ethics and a valuable employee.