We live in Western North Carolina, and it seems that President Obama has fallen in love with our beautiful area and it’s tasty Barbeque. Last week President Obama made a visit to the new manufacturing plant where my son works. When the Secret Service rushed the employees though a surprise question of “Do you want to bring a guest?” and my son, caught off guard said, “I don’t guess so..” and the Secret Service had moved on before he had time to think of how much it would mean to “old Mom” to meet the President. I didn’t get to go.
My son works at Linamar, a new Canadian based plant that makes engines for various companies. Last spring, he heard about a new plant moving here that was looking for machinist. The local community college offered a course,in order to train prospective workers. My son quickly signed u for the 3-month course,applied fro the job, and since he already had an Associates Degree, he was hired the next day! When Obama chose Linamar as an example of new companies, even from other countries, beginning to take an interest in coming to the US where there were well trained workers looking for jobs, he chose Linamar as a great example of what determination to get a job , willingness to work and take classes to get the job and dedication to your career could do.
My son (with our family’s help in babysitting) made sure to take advantage of an opportunity to further his eduction,never missed a class, filled out an application and was hired quickly and has worked 6-7 days a week , 2nd shift to get his machinist job with good pay and benefits. There are opportunities out there for jobs that pay a living wage if you are willing to go back to school and possibly work something other than second shift, at least to start with. My son’s experience gives us hope in knowing that showing up a at work, having a good attitude and working hard to learn everything you can still pays off in this country.
My son appeared in the local newspaper right behind President Obama. It wasn’t a great photo of my son, but if you know him, you could tell it was him. His kindergarten-aged son got to show off a picture of his daddy with the president. My son got to shake the president’s hand, and even though he isn’t “Obama fan” like I am, he was honored to meet the current President of our country.
Our newspapers website is: http://www.citizen-times.com. His photo appeared on the front page on Thursday, February 14, 2012, if you would like to see it.
Though a politician often takes some flack for “spending tax payers money” on such trips. That has some validity. still, I think it helps to highlight the opportunity our country still has to get an education, work hard and move up in life. Most do not, have this opportunity and few ever will . I am proud of my son and thankful to have been given the good fortune of being born here and living in freedom.
beebeesworld 