Let’s Drink To The Hard-Working People

“Let’s drink to the hard-working people… let’s drink to the salt of the earth.”  ~Mick Jagger

Jagger sang this at the 2001 Concert For New York to raise money for the families of victims of the World Trade Center disaster. We watched it again yesterday as it was repeated for the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

I quote him now and raise a glass to the other unsung heroes of the working class people – the small business owners who are brave, courageous, selfless warriors, fighting every day for survival and for their families. They are fighting for their dreams and their vision, willing to bet it all and not for fame or glory, not even for the paycheck that they frequently pass on. They do it because they must; this is everything to them.

The small business owner is my hero, a warrior of the heart. Fighting to better his family, to protect his employees, their jobs and their families. “Let’s drink to the hard-working people… let’s drink to the salt of the earth.” God bless you all.

Let’s also remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, the victims and the selfless heroes – among them the police and firefighters who were simply doing their jobs – who died saving others. I stand in awe of such commitment, selfless service, and sacrifice. I am not sure I could have performed as well if called upon, but they did. I bow to their memory. I give thanks to their families for enduring the pain they must bear.