Work Ethic and the American Way

I love people who work. I especially admire people who really work hard. It’s the American way, and yet, today, too many people feel that the true American work ethic is falling by the wayside. Really?

Well, I’m resisting that notion, but, then again, I’m a child of the ‘50s. I have fond childhood memories of attending school assemblies and viewing short films with titles like Industry on Parade that showcased patriotic music and images of scientists in lab coats and muscular, sweaty, shirtless men in hard hats pounding and forging metal with gigantic vats of red-hot molten steel pouring out in the background. Chilling.

There were also images of four or five farm tractors working in tandem, harvesting a wheat field. These films celebrated pride, integrity and ingenuity; virtues that America was built on. Some things just don’t change.

Ah, the American work ethic. Americans getting their hands dirty, doing manual labor or serving the public in thousands of retail positions; working and giving 110 percent to provide the best possible service to their customers. Nothing symbolizes or expresses the American Way better than hard work and excellent customer service.

This past week, one of the highlights at the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner, which took place at the Crown Coliseum, was seeing 23-year-old Alexis Kondratyk practically speechless with pride when presented the 2013 Outstanding Customer Service Award. Kondratyk, a cashier at IGA located in Eutaw Shopping Center, was nominated for her warm personality and consistent and extreme sensitivity to the needs of her customers. Mike Lallier, general manager/owner of Reed-Lallier Chevrolet, sponsored the recognition and presented her the award and keys to a new Chevrolet, which she will be able to drive for the next year. Her shy response: “I was just doing my job.”

Wow! How refreshing.

Our community, our state and our nation need more people like Alexis. Work ethic speaks volumes about character. The victimization of America is becoming much too prevalent as government entitlement programs paralyze the working class by encouraging dependency and discouraging the development of a sound work ethic.

It is my hope that the Chamber of Commerce will continue to recognize people who and businesses that exemplify sound business practices, excellent customer service and the proliferation of solid work ethic and the American Way.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Alexis Kondratyk receiving the Reed Lallier 2013 Outstanding Customer Service Award with (l-r) Fayetteville Regional Chamber President and CEO Doug Peters, Mike Lallier, owner of Reed Lallier Chevrolet and Chairman of the Board Vincent Venturella.