By:  Daniel O. Hoppes-President

Local 22 represents men and women who reflect a wide diversity of facial, ethnic, national, religious heritages and affiliations.  Local 22 has always worked for equal opportunity and wage equity for all its members.  Local 22 has always been dedicated to advancing the principles and practices of equality, freedom an economic and social justice.  Local 22 has brought the benefits of union representation to all workers employed in our packing houses in Fremont,  Schuyler, and Gran Island, Nebraska and also our members of Hall County Corrections in Grand Island where the power of collective action not only improves the workers standard of living, but also benefits entire communities.  

 I WON’T LEAVE MY BROTHERS

As we celebrate another Veterans Day, some common themes keep recurring on all the combat movies beign played on television.  One in particular I remeber was a WW2 movie.  Our troops were in Europe in a terrible battle against the Germans.
            The movie focused in on a fox hole with American soldiers inside it.  People were running everywhere, bullets flying, bombs exploding, body parts all over the ground.  The men in the fox hole wouldn’t leave.  It was there job to stay and defend as best they could.  The odds were against them.  The Germans were fast approaching.  As some infantry men were pulling back, one shouted to his friend in the fox hole “C’ mon Carl let’s get out of here”.  Carl replied ” I won’t leave my brothers”.  Carl’s friend then jumped in the fox hole to stay and fight.  Another jumped in , then another, more men stayed.  Eventually the Americans were able to win the battle and eventually the war.
            What this means to me is “One voice” can make a difference.  Some things are worth fighting for.  Sometimes you have to risk everything to achieve.  Most of all you can’t do it alone.  It takes everyone! Sound Familiar?

            Thank you all who have served and to those that are serving now!