Commentary: We salute the hard-working men and women of labor who build America going forward

On this Labor Day weekend, we salute the hard-working men and women of labor who build America going forward -- those who get up early before the sun rises, and those who work late into the night.

The dedicated men and women whose work is all too often overlooked and unheralded, but who work hard and play by the rules, and deserve a reasonable living wage, a safe and clean workplace, and earned retirement security.

They are the living fabric of the American economy and of our future prosperity. They build the skyscrapers, forge the steel, assemble our vehicles and home appliances, power our homes and workplaces, heal the sick and treat the infirmed, protect and serve our citizenry, transport and deliver America, till and sow the fields to feed a hungry nation.

They have all been knocked down a time or two, often unexpected and undeserved, but they know the most important thing is to get back up.

Take a moment this weekend to keep them in your thoughts. Honor them, praise them.

And if you have the chance, reach out to those who are at work this weekend and tell them how much you appreciate their efforts, and that their work adds value to our communal well-being.

A few meaningful words can change someone’s entire day.