Mike Causey

Lifeguard duty on Labor Day

Even though it's a federal holiday, the one when working folks are supposed to rest, Uncle Sam has millions of lifeguards - civilian and military - on duty t...

Mike Causey@mcauseyWFED

September 2, 2013 2:00 am

2 min read

Even though it’s a holiday, lots of federal and military personnel are on duty today.

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the number of federal-military people filling slots on a 24/7 basis has increased dramatically. Chances are, especially if you live in the D.C. area, some of your friends and neighbors are at the “office” today. It may be a real, air-conditioned office or border patrol, doing customs duty and checking people and cargo at airports.

Because most Americans (if you can escape retail and restaurant work) are off today, it is difficult for them to believe or understand that thousands of so- called bureaucrats — many of them highly trained and armed — are on the job. If you doubt it check out the parking lots at the Pentagon or, (very carefully) at the CIA and National Security Agency. The Defense Intelligence Agency, State Department and other places are up and running too.

So as we always conclude:

If you are off today enjoy it. Have fun. Be careful.

And if you are working, a special thanks. And be careful out there.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

By Jack Moore

From LiveScience:

“At $150 to $227 per pound, Kopi Luwak is the world’s costliest coffee. Its origin lies in coffee berries eaten and excreted by a slender mammal known as the Asian palm civet.”

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Mike Causey

Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.

Follow @mcauseyWFED