Lest we not Forget

     On August 23rd 2008 the first annual John T. Rogers award was presented to a graduating Apprentice from Steamfitters UA Local 449 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The award was one of many awarded that evening in a Heinz Field banquet hall where the graduation ceremony was held. It was established to honor an apprentice whose actions exemplify the altruistic spirit of brotherhood and the recipient was decided by the graduating apprentices themselves.

     John Rogers was a 28 year old Steamfitter Journeyman whose life was cut short by a workplace explosion back in 1975 in Western Pennsylvania. In addition to being an excellent mechanic, John was just plain fun. He wore the world like a loose shirt; always laughing…..he seemed to posses the “secret”. It’s always sad when a life ends, but it’s tragic when it ends so violently and at such a young age. We must be diligent in our pursuit of a safe workplace. Far better to enjoy a life than to be honored after it has ended.