MCALLEN, Texas - On this, Thanksgiving Day, the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service is giving thanks to America's Ditch Diggers.
Joey Treviño, executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, recommended we watch a video on YouTube titled Ditch Diggers.
Treviño said he tries to play the video at all the classes he hosts.
“It's a poem that a construction worker put together. And I put it in some of the meetings that I put together and I've had people crying,” Treviño explained.
The video features a poem by Eric Borden about the importance of people that work in the construction industry and those that make a living through a skilled trade.
The caption to the video reads: “After hearing someone refer to people who don't go to college as "ditch diggers" in a not-so-flattering way, Eric was inspired to write a powerful poem that reversed the negative connotation of blue-collar workers.
“Eric's poem has inspired many individuals in and out of skilled trades by shining a light on the importance of people who build this world and love what they do. In turn, it inspires acts of kindness, which is how #ThankADitchDigger was born.”
Responding to Treviño’s request, the Guardian agreed to check out Borden’s video and upload it. Here it is:
https://youtu.be/fr3wbAwo8OU?si=ByoLExjBrQzQbp0H
The Guardian met up with Treviño at the 2nd Annual Apprenticeship Summit hosted recently by South Texas College. Treviño was one of the panelists.
After his remarks, the Guardian interviewed Treviño. It was put to him that he must have loved the presentation made by former labor representative on the Texas Workforce Commission, Julian Alvarez. In his remarks, Alvarez said those that take up a skilled trade should be respected and not belittled.
Treviño said he appreciated Alvarez ’s remarks.
Here is an audio recording of the Guardian’s interview with Treviño:
In his remarks on the STC panel, Treviño said he was proud to have set up a women’s committee that promotes women in the construction industry.
He also spoke in support of apprenticeships, pointing out that many skilled workers are reaching retirement age.
Here is an audio recording of Treviño’s remarks at the STC summit:
