“Postal Service employees are among the civil servants who strengthen our country. We are here to serve the public every day,” tweeted the U.S. Postal Service on behalf of Postmaster General/CEO Megan Brennan, including the hashtag #PSRW. Every May, Americans celebrate their country and proudly display their patriotism. American flags wave, marching bands play during parades, and barbecues everywhere fire up. What better way to celebrate the American dream?
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” This speech, given at his inauguration into our nation’s highest office, has become synonymous with serving for the betterment of our country. Many of the holidays and celebrations during May, such as Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day, focus on the military to thank service-members for their service. These selfless individuals deserve our thanks. But there are other public servants among us that answered the call, too.
President Trump issued a proclamation declaring May 6 through May 12 as “Public Service Recognition Week.” Federal employees who work to provide vital services for their communities are recognized and appreciated. Public servants include local government and federal employees who work for the betterment of society. They are often overlooked but crucial contributors who make our country run smoothly.
Sometimes, we see them everyday as they go about their work, such as postal or sanitation workers. Others we see when we are faced with an emergency, such as doctors, nurses, or aid workers. Some we may even complain about having to see, like the employees at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
"Postal Service employees are among the civil servants who strengthen our communities. We are here to serve the public every day." – PMG Megan Brennan Happy Public Service Recognition Week! #PSRW pic.twitter.com/MEc8qlY2Mx
— U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) May 7, 2018
But they are all vital to the way that our country operates and the services that we all take for granted. Public Service Recognition Week offers all Americans the chance to recognize their contributions and thank them for the work that they do.
What is PSRW?
Public Service Recognition Week is organized by the Public Employees Roundtable. PER is comprised of 23 organizations and associations of public service employees. PER has been organizing a week in early May each year to recognize public servants since 1985. They strive to “lead efforts to show appreciation to our nation’s talented and dedicated public servants.” Government organizations from all sectors celebrate the week by recognizing employees on social media and urging the entire country to thank them for their service.
Public service is a calling — to give back to our nation and strengthen its promise. #PSRW pic.twitter.com/WC6Et5x2fk
— USDA Forest Service (@forestservice) May 8, 2018
Organizations have also publicly shared why their employees are so special, hoping to educate the public and make them aware of all that public servants do for our country. “Public service is a calling—to give back to our nation and strengthen its promise,” tweeted the U.S. Forest Service, also including the hashtag #PSRW.
Serving 24/7/365
Many public servants work with little or no recognition on a daily basis. The Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit working with the government with a “focus on making it better,” challenges all Americans to continue thanking their public servants even after PSRW is over. “We encourage you to keep celebrating public servants all year long!” the office tweeted. “Thank you to all of the dedicated government employees who work to make our world a better place. #PSRW”
The Partnership for Public Service also recognizes government employees with the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America medal. The “Sammies” honors 7 federal workers from among a talented pool of nominees. The award specifically focuses on the nominee’s “strong commitment to federal service,” as well as their accomplishments and customer service.
Many public servants do their jobs quietly and without a lot of fanfare. As they quietly go about their business, take a minute to honor them for the quality of life that they help provide in our nation. They answered the call to service.
Thank you to all of the public servants in our country who help make the American dream possible for so many.
