Happy Memorial Day, Hire a Veteran

​This year Memorial Day is Monday, 28 May, officially a day of remembrance honoring the men and women who died while serving in the US military. It used to be called “Decoration Day”, which originated in the South where graves were decorated in memorial, and then became an official US National holiday in 1971.  It’s also the “official” start of summer… of when you can wear white (an arcane rule for sure), plant your annuals here in Massachusetts, and other key milestones linked to summer.  Glorious summer - we are so ready!

Today, my topic is about military veterans and buying products made in America.  This is not political, I promise.  It’s a celebration of American spirit, work ethic, and service. When someone asks “How do you thank a veteran for their service,” I always say, “give them a job and hire them.”  That’s putting American dedication and know-how to work!  Good business for all of us.
 
If you have three minutes you should this watch this business video on a NY company, Tidal New York, who hires veterans to make flip-flops. It will probably make you smile: 

​I’m a veteran. Did you know that?  I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force with 10+ years of active duty service (to include time in the Pentagon), then 15 years in the Air Force Reserves.   My Air Force experience was fabulous, and I was one of the lucky ones who had a great career and retired with all my body parts and head still intact.  Sadly I can’t say that for many of my comrades, God bless them.
 
So what does Memorial Day have to do with my Interior Design blog?  Well, I’m privileged to sell products from two companies that go the extra step to make their blinds and shade products in America: Comfortex (Albany, NY - https://www.comfortex.com/) and Lafayette (West Lafayette, Indiana - http://www.lafvb.com/). 

You might think it’s a simple matter to select vendors that manufacture their products in America, but sadly lots of custom window treatment products (yes, custom, not only mass-produced, but custom) are now made in China, Mexico, and other nations with lower cost labor. Bravo to these two American companies, Comfortex and Lafayette, and their terrific American-made products. And it always makes me smile when I get the packages with the red, white, and blue labels as shown on the box below:

​As I reflect on the real meaning of Memorial Day I am drawn to the images of the American cemetery in Normandy, France (which we visited in 2015 - 71 years after the Normandy invasion) and the sacrifices that the soldiers made storming the beaches and the cliffs.  

 Have a great Memorial Day weekend.  And thanks to all veterans out there, and to the families of the fallen comrades that we honor this Memorial Day.  Your sacrifice is supreme, and we salute you. 
 
Powerful stuff - glad to be an American today and always.