A rose to the estimated 157 million American workers on this Labor Day weekend. Labor Day was first celebrated in a New York City parade in 1882. Oregon made it a state holiday in 1887 and it became a federal holiday in 1894. The idea of a day to honor working Americans came at the height of the Industrial Age of the late 19th Century, when entrepreneurs made untold millions — at one point a single person, Cornelius Vanderbilt — held 20 percent of the nation’s wealth. Working conditions were conversely appalling — 12 hours work days, seven days a week, starvation wages, primitive, often dangerous, working conditions and child labor for those as young as five. Labor Day, as a federal holiday, unified working people across the nation, birthing a Labor movement that is responsible for many of the working conditions we still enjoy today — a 40-hour work week, laws prohibiting child labor and safety regulations to protect workers. So Happy Labor Day, America. You’ve earned the holiday.

A rose to the people of the Golden Triangle for their efforts to come to the aid of Jackson residents, who are without safe drinking water as the capital city’s water system faces collapse. After state and federal officials declared a state of emergency regarding Jackson’s water system this week, relief efforts here in the Golden Triangle quickly ramped up. Sheriff’s departments in Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties started collecting donations of water almost immediately, aided by donations from churches, United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee Counties  and Walmart. Caledonia Water and Sewer Department is collecting water, too, while Munson & Brothers and Princess Theatre is hosting a special event Saturday evening to collect donations. First Baptist Church of Starkville is holding a water drive today. Then there are the countless number of citizens who are responding to these efforts individually. While there has been much discussion about who should be held responsible for this crisis, our communities have responded not with accusations, but with action. The old proverb, “True charity sees the need not the cause,” applies to our community in this situation. We could not be prouder.

A rose to Atmos Energy for its support of The Mission, a residential recovery center in West Point. The Mission, with the support of its partner, The Dream Center, and contributions from churches and citizens, plans to expand its facility from 18 to 38. Atmos is helping that effort by donating $20,000 of equipment and services to convert the facility, located in the old Bryan Foods office complex, from electricity to natural gas. Mission officials say the conversion could reduce their utility costs by as much as 40 percent, no small matter for an organization where every penny counts. The Mission provides adult men, many with a history of drug/alcohol abuse, with counseling, spiritual guidance, job training and placement and a stable living environment for up to a year as they make the often difficult journey to living productive lives. We applaud The Mission and The Dream Center for the important work they do and to organizations such as Atmos Energy, which help in their own unique way.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.