The term, "All American," is used in a number of ways today to suggest a label of high standard or over achievement. For example, if one googled, "All American," more than 20 million hits would show up in less than one second. Just recently, the City of Albany, N.Y., was named an "All American City." So, the title must be good Aca,!aEURc right'
But what does that label imply and should we even care when some entity is branded by a term that some may say is overused'
Maybe, in a small postage-stamp piece of property just north of Albany, the Army's Watervliet Arsenal might provide an answer.
The Arsenal today manufacturers tank, artillery, and mortar systems and has been quietly supporting our nation's military for nearly 200 years, which is an historic note that sometimes even surprises the civilian public just outside the Arsenal fence line.
Jim Grenier, an electrical expert for more than 24 years at the Arsenal, is just one of the tens of thousands of local folks who have worked at the Arsenal throughout the years since 1813.
Prior to beginning work at the Arsenal in 1985, Jim, his wife, Meg, and newborn son, Jim, had a good life. But something was missing according to Jim.
The Arsenal in the 1980s was a well-known and a respected institution in the Capital District. After all, nearly 3,000 employees drove in and out the gates every day. But more importantly, the Arsenal represented to Jim a sense of permanence and purpose. Jim believed if he could get a job at the Arsenal, his life would be set.
So, when Jim raised his hand to take the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, he said he felt an intense sense of pride that he was now part of the Army.
Meg said she also felt a tremendous sense too, but it was a sense of relief. Working for the Army meant a job for life, or so Meg thought.
In the late 1980s, Jim and Meg's family grew with the birth of their first daughter, Jackie. Life was going well for the Greniers. Indeed it was, until the 1990s.
The 1990s were tough years for the Army personnel system. By 1991, the Cold War and Gulf War had ended and as a result of those successes, the political nature of our country believed the country no longer needed a large military.
Between the years 1991 and 2001, the Army downsized its active force by nearly 300,000 Soldiers. Times were no better for the Arsenal workforce.
According to Arsenal records, the Arsenal had nine reductions in force or RIFs during that time period. As a result of the RIFs, Arsenal personnel numbers dropped from more than 2,000 employees in 1991 to about 400 by 2001.
However, at the beginning of this downturn, Jim and Meg hit pay dirt. No it wasn't a promotion; it was the birth of twin daughters, Michele and Melissa.
So, during a time of economic uncertainty for the Arsenal, the Grenier family gained wealth. Their family was now set at six.
Jim and Meg said that each time a RIF notice was about to be issued, their levels of stress went up. Meg began working nights and Jim worked a second job to provide security for their family just in case Jim became part of the workforce reductions.
Jim also volunteered to work as much overtime as possible not only for income protection, but also to learn as much as he could about electrical engineering to improve his value to the Arsenal leadership.
Meg said that faith, such as praying and attending Mass, also helped during the stressful times.
All three daughters said that although they were vaguely aware of the layoffs at the Arsenal, there was no affect to their quality of family life.
Melissa said that despite her dad working long hours he always found time to be involved in their activities, such as his coaching her basketball team.
Jackie, Melissa, and Michele said that during these tough times, their dad took them to the Arsenal as part of a "Take your daughter to work day" and they were surprised at how excited their dad became when he showed them where he worked and the products he was working on.
Then in 1999, Jim experienced what hundreds of his fellow coworkers had experienced Aca,!aEURc he received a RIF notice that told him his tenure at the Arsenal would end in 90 days.
But eventually, Jim was not laid off and if fact, he was hired by the Army's BenAfAt Laboratories, which is located on the Arsenal.
Through the years, Jim and Meg taught their four kids a lot about having pride in what you do and to remain positive in the darkest of times. They also taught them about compassion for others and to give back to the community.
In the midst of Jim working long hours; Meg working too and eventually becoming a Trustee for the Village of Menands; son, Jim, graduating from Syracuse University; Jackie graduating from the University of Albany; and now the twins off to Villanova and Holy Cross Universities, they still somehow found time to help others.
For example, while many freshman college students were trying to chill out prior to going off to college this past summer, Michele and Melissa spent time in Ohio repairing homes in low income communities as part of Reach Workcamps Program. And, they had to pay for the pleasure of helping others.
The Grenier family has also helped coordinate a homecoming for an injured serviceman, a collection of items to ship to Soldiers in Iraq and most recently, coordinated a community-wide military appreciation picnic on the Army's Birthday.
So, in this postage-stamp piece of Army property in upstate New York, the term "All American" could never be considered as being overused when it applies to those families of Department of the Army Civilians who, like the Grenier family, proudly serve their country, too.
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