Monday, September 7th, is Labor Day in the United States. On this day, we pay tribute to the strength of every American worker.
On June 28th, 1894, Labor Day was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland, marking the first Monday in September as a Federal holiday.
AFE salutes the dedicated men and women, in military and civilian life, who have bravely worked in contact with the general public during these trying times.
Here are some fun ways to spend your Labor Day weekend, while focusing on a mindset of well-deserved rest and self-improvement.
Go on your own outdoor adventure
Get out on your bike, go for a run, or take a hike. The world is yours to explore. Head out to your nearest National Park for a nature hike and a picnic.
Not going to make it out on a grand adventure this Labor Day? No problem.
Now’s your chance to jazz up your fitness routine by taking your exercise outdoors. Take a few extra minutes of this next 72 hours to plan out a new running route, bicycle route, or workout plan and then do it!
You’ll feel better for it.
Looking for more weekend adventures? Check out your local MWR for golf outings, weekend getaways, and more.
Read a whole book from start to finish
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.’ – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Working folks are always asking, “Who has time to read anymore?” Well, the good news is that you’re about to have 72 whole hours of uninterrupted reading time to yourself.
If you’ve recently told yourself, “ I should read more,” or if you’ve ever thought, “I should read that!” What better time will there be than here and now?
Take this chance to read a classic like Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, only about 68 pages long. Or if you’re in the mood to embark on an epic journey on a treacherous desert planet, take this opportunity to start Frank Herbert’s Dune, ahead of the new Dune movie set to release on December 18th, 2020.
Looking for reading material? Active duty service members should check out the MWR Library for all kinds of resources available. Check out our resources blog for more information.
Put your own labor to work–and play–with a woodworking project
As Abraham Lincoln once stated, “Labor is the true standard of value.”
Why not give something the ultimate value by making it yourself? Labor day weekend is the perfect time to put your own skills in action to create something new.
What will you create?
In the mood to build something, but you don’t have access to materials or tools? Don’t let that hinder your creativity. Liberate your office supplies from their 9-to-5 duties by building this X-Wing fighter.
Source: SpookyLean via Instructables
With less than $5 in materials, a handsaw, and a drill, you could create an elegant, minimalist tablet stand like this.
This phone and tablet stand is the perfect balance of simplicity and utility. Project Credit: David Bakker on Instructables
Or with $60 in materials, you could make some regulation 48”x24” cornhole boards over the weekend, just in time for your Labor Day BBQ.
Project Credit: chwbcc on Instructables
Travel somewhere new, Virtually.
Do you find yourself wanting to fly for a weekend getaway, but there’s a pandemic going on that’s spoiling the fun? If you’ve got a capable gaming PC that’s ready to take on Microsoft’s news Flight Sim, you’re in luck!
Fly around the Pyramids of Giza, glide a biplane down Las Vegas Boulevard, or discover the immense size of the Grand Canyon, all from the comfort of your gaming laptop. You won’t even need a pilot’s license.
The Grand Canyon as seen in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Image Source: AFE
The game uses real satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to recreate planet earth in amazing detail. So detailed, in fact, that you can even fly back to visit your childhood home.
Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX as seen in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Image Source: AFE
Schedule a game night, virtually or in real life
With so many folks getting 72 hours of uninterrupted time off, now is your chance to get the crew together for a day of fun.
If you’re not able to attend in person, games like Tabletop Simulator and Civilization VI offer a board game experience without the fuss of game pieces.
Still looking for action? Be sure to also check out community events at your friendly neighborhood Army or Navy MWR to keep up to date with ongoing events this Labor Day weekend.
Have a Labor Day Parade and BBQ, on Video Conference
Although they’ve been a staple of the Labor Day holiday since the beginning, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Labor Day Parade 2020.
We know that many of you infantrymen out there might have even been accustomed to marching in Labor Day parades alongside your units in Labor Day parades past.
But that doesn’t mean the show can’t go on! Fire up the grills, hop on a video conference with family and friends, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve earned it.
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Check out our HOMEGROWN video series, with exclusive at-home performances from your favorite AFE tour veterans including gnash, Operation Song, and Chris Kroeze.
