Labor Day is unique among our national holidays in that it does not celebrate a single individual, a battle, or a religious occasion. It is dedicated to honoring the American worker. While to many it is just a three-day weekend, it is a day to celebrate the contributions to our society made by the hard work and commitment of everyday American workers.
The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882, and gradually, states began to officially adopt the holiday throughout the following decade. God has richly blessed our nation with a strong and vital labor force, and it is to Him and to them--the laborers of our nation--that we owe our gratitude for the prosperity and benefits we enjoy.
________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: ANTI-AMERICAN? DON'T BUY THEIR PRODUCTS!!!!!
Date: 8/31/2002 4:24:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: RCooper663
To: Ben517,

Don't know how many of you drink Pepsi products but maybe if you don't you
might know
someone who does and would be interested in this memo.


Pepsi has a new patriotic can coming out with pictures of the Empire State
Bldg.
and the Pledge of Allegiance on them.

But Pepsi forgot two little words on the pledge, "Under God."

Pepsi said they did not want to offend anyone. If this is true then we do
not want to offend anyone at the Pepsi corporate office. If we do not
buy any Pepsi product then they will not receive any of our monies. Our
money after all does have the words "Under God" on it.

Please pass this word to everyone you know.
_________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Daniel Messisco
Date: 8/31/2002 9:57:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: dendando@webtv.net
To: Ben517@aol.com

Daniel Messisco in company b of the 517th. passed away this Monday the
26th of August 2002 at 8:35 am in Palm Bay, FL. He is survived by his
wife Shirley and 7 children. He was 79 years old. Daniel fought in
Soy-Hotton and St jaques. He was next to Sgt. Rivers when he was killed
on the charge forward, and  new Pvt. Pace who was struck by a bouncing
betty. Daniel some how managed to survive the Battle of the Bulge, but
his battle with lung cancer was a battle that few men can defeat. He
will be missed and remembered.
________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Greetings From Oregon
Date: 8/31/2002 3:19:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Genedie77
To: Ben517

Hello:
Visiting daughter and family in Portland. Hve been retrieving Mail Call. In some rather recent ones, Howard has mentioned his first Paratrooper Boots. I dug mine out. They are so stiff I may never get them on. Must have been poor grade because I only wore them to Europe and through combat in Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. Burned part of the top of one of then in Bergstein. Will try to wear them to OK City. If I can't I might wear my uniform in which I was discharged. A little tight I suppose. We'll see. Anyway, Howard bring those boots.
Gene Brissey
______________________________________________________________________
Date: 8/31/2002 3:47:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: gwtayler@juno.com

Ben, thank you so much for getting Veronica Lissner's news out, John and
I really appreciate it.  It went very well, as well as such could go.

One of these days John will turn on his computer!  Am sending latest
issue of MAIL CALL down to him.  He won't be back in Florida for some
time, was to head up to New York this morning.

Again, thank you, and best to you,

Gail