8.01.23 – August 2023 Recognitions

August 2023 Recognitions

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

As we enter a new month, August is making itself known, and we are feeling the solidarity of our Union siblings! This is an important month. August is a time to show our fighting spirit and we have so much to acknowledge.

August 4 is the U.S. Coast Guard’s Birthday. The Coast Guard is with The Department of Homeland Security, and they are tasked with keeping our waterways safe and secure with search and rescue, security, and law enforcement. The Coast Guard are one of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces, and on this day and every day we honor and celebrate these members of our armed forces.

August 7 is Purple Heart Day in observance of those of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed while serving and is the oldest military award for our U.S. military members. We thank them for their service to the nation and their sacrifice.

August 9 is International Day of the Worlds Indigenous people celebrating the richness of culture of all indigenous people. It is a day to also give light onto the challenges of dispossession, discrimination, poverty, and the dismissiveness of indigenous people’s human rights.

August 15 is Feast of the Assumption, for Roman Catholics. This holy day marks the occasion of the Virgin Mary’s bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life. Assumption celebrations are accompanied by festivals, colorful street processions, fireworks, and pageantry.

The month of Safar is one of the most significant months in the calendar of Muslims. This year, Safar runs from August 17 through September 16. Safar is an Arabic word which translates into “Empty”. Empty is referred to the Pre-Islamic Era when Houses were empty as people go out to gather food. The importance of the month is defined by the occurrence of some of the greatest events related to Prophet Muhammad. Some of which are:

• The Prophet migrated to Madinah from Makkah in the month of Safar
• He fell ill in this month
• Prophet’s daughter, Fatima got married
• Hasan Ibn Ali and grandson of Prophet PBUH attained martyrdom

August 19 is National Aviation Day, celebrating the development of aviation established in 1939 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday.

August 23 is International Day for the Remembrance of The Slave Trade and Its Abolition, recognizing the overwhelming suffering caused and tragic place in our history of the transatlantic slave trade. It is particularly significant because on this day in 1791 in Haiti there was an uprising an over the transatlantic slave trade, which initiated its abolition.

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the work and those who fought for the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits anyone to deny a person the right to vote based on sex. Women continue to for equal rights. Today, the wage gap between men and women still impacts women’s economic power, and gender-based discrimination still exists in many workplaces.

August 30 is Raksha Bandhan, which is a Hindu festival celebrating the love and duty between brothers and sisters. Following tradition, the sister will tie a sacred thread on the wrist of the brother. The brother in turn gives his sister presents and takes an oath to protect her and keep her out of harm’s way. The ritual is then followed by giving each other homemade treats.

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. With the current and continuing stigma of mental health and addiction issues, it is important that each of us put in effort to change the narrative. If you or a family member are living with addiction, we have resources through our FADAP and APFA EAP. Never hesitate to reach out to get the support available.

We thank you for giving us the gift of perspective by sharing what is of importance to you. Please continue contributing to the depth and understanding of this committee and our workforce.

In Solidarity,

Chaddrian Calhoun and Rhonda Curtright
APFA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
[email protected]