Workers Memorial Day 2020
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Sometimes the person is known to you. Such was Ted Yandle, a student of mine who was enrolled in the SCDOT Site Manager training program at York County Tech so very long ago.
Ted was a strapping young man with dark hair, that ruddy complexion you get from being out in the sun for much of the workday, and a personality that would reach out and grab you with his patented friendly persona cultivated in the South.
Anyway, I was pretty taken with the guy and enjoyed his company and witty reparte for the week.
That happy family man that he was shone through the days we worked together.
I was dismayed to learn that he was struck from behind by a young man driving under the influence on August 16, 2001 while Ted was working the Peak exit.
My mood became solemn for several months after receiving the news. Thoughts of his two daughters and the rest of his family and their great loss punctuated my days long afterward.
Today is Workers Memorial Day aka International Workers Memorial Day aka International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured.
It is held internationally each year on April 28 and is a day of remembrance and action for workers killed disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work.
Canada observes the day as the National Day of Mourning.
So on this day I hope you'll remember Mr Ted C Yandle, his widow, and two daughters. He was a happy proud husband and father, a good man, and he should still be here.