To most high school and college kids today, Labor Day is just one more day of the school year that they have off. But in reality, Labor Day is a very necessary and meaningful holiday in the United States. It is dedicated to the hard, social and economic work of Americans. To me, however, it's even more. It's somewhat of a day of traditions among my family.

My grandfather has been a part of Local 25 (Plumbers and Pipefitters) for as long as I can remember. Each year, most of my family, along with most of the rest of the population of Galesburg, attends the Labor Day Parade. Not me, though. I almost never get to watch any of the parade, but I can't complain. I'm normally in it. It may not seem like much, but every year I get to throw candy for Local 25. It may not seem like much, but the smiles on the faces of the children who come to the parade with their families when they see us walking down the street is heartwarming. Each kid gets more and more excited as the multitude of Local 25 supporters walk down the street with aprons and buckets filled to the brim with the kind of candy that it seems like you can only get at parades.

A lot of people might find this tedious. Why walk in a parade when you can just watch it? To me it's a lot more than that, though. Not only do I get to make tons of kids happy and hyper with sugar, but I also get to do it alongside some of the most important people in my life. My grandparents have also always been a big part of the parade for years. And, if it weren't for them, I never would have gotten to be involved in the parade at all. One of my favorite parts of Galesburg's Labor Day Parade used to be watching my grandparents drive their big green John Deere Gator, with the back overflowing with every kind of candy imaginable, down the road. All of the people walking for Local 25, kids and adults both, would follow his Gator to refill their aprons and buckets with candy to throw to all the kids. While my grandparents no longer drive the Gator during the parade, they always stay involved. Whether they're just buying candy to throw or they're on a parade float, they always stay loyal to Local 25 and the Labor Day Parade, and so do I.

Even though the parade has been something of a tradition for my grandparents and me, what comes after is equally as important to us. Each year after the parade, there is a big picnic for all of the Local 25 members and supporters at Lake Story. It's there that I get to spend the rest of my day with my family. There is always the most delicious lunch and dessert to look forward to. With what seems like a never ending supply of hotdogs, brats and burgers you're probably asking yourself how it could possibly get any better. Let me tell you. Every year I enter one of the many raffles, and every year I (almost) win some kind of prize. But even better than all of this, I get to spend my entire day with two of the most important and influential people in my life. My grandparents, and Labor Day, are beyond special to me. They started this tradition for me, and I intend to continue to carry it out for many years to come.

So, this Labor Day, remember those who work hard for you and for others. Labor Day is more than just a day off from classes. Enjoy the day, and most importantly, spend it with those who are most significant to you.