Reporter's Note: President Obama is celebrating Labor Day by working. Other than writing this letter, I'm taking a break.

Dear Mr. President,

A very happy Labor Day to you! Although I hate to see summer coming to a close, it has been a good one in our house, so I can't complain. And even though in your house it has been a tad bumpy, hey...you're President of the United States, you just came back from vacation, and you have Biden around for laughs...how bad can it be?

I like Labor Day and I always have, because for all the good fortune I've enjoyed in my life, I've still always fundamentally seen myself as a laboring type. I think it was my upbringing. My mom and dad always had the greatest respect for true working folks when we were young. As we always saw it, on any given day the president of a company could be gone, or golfing, or waylaid by gravediggers and most people wouldn't know it. But let a key person on the job go sick for just a few hours and the whole place might shudder to a halt.

I still sort of feel that way. For my money, the heroes of our society (with all respect) are not the presidents, and CEO's, and generals and the like; but rather the regular people who wage a daily battle to get their jobs done; often for little pay, less respect, and in the worst conditions. Sure, the big shots at the top may be responsible for the overriding strategy and ideas, but without the rank and file, you are nothing.

Given a choice, I'd take Labor Day over Presidents Day any year; because this is a holiday about all of us, not just a privileged few.

I have a bowl of shrimp, some juicy steaks, and a hot grill waiting for me. Got to go. But call later if you like.

Regards,
Tom