Monday, May 6, 2013

Today is "(What Should Be) National WPA Remembrance Day"

(WPA poster, image courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. May 6th should also be a Memorial Day.)

On May 6, 1935, President Roosevelt created the WPA with Executive Order No. 7034.

WPA laborers worked on many projects that were certified as national defense projects, such as: 141 new airports, 450 miles of new or improved runways, 45 new hospitals, 102 new armories, 470 new military barracks, and 438 new dining halls. They also repaired or improved thousands of other, existing military buildings. Furthermore, they collected about half-a-million tons of scrap metal and performed concerts for soldiers. Sewing room projects and WPA nurseries also aided the war effort.

Many workers joined the military, or worked in the defense industries, subsequent to their work in the WPA.

Franklin Roosevelt said the WPA had "strengthened the country to bear the burden of war." 

So how will we, as a nation, commemorate the men and women who strengthened the country to bear the burden of war and who, in many cases, fought & worked to protect our freedom to enjoy the things they created (parks, roads, bridges, etc.).

Answer: We won't. We, as a nation, will ignore their work and service.

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