The last Asarco Tacoma employee is on the way out the door. It marks the end of an era that once saw the company as the largest employer in the county. The smelter closed its doors in 1985, but a few employees remained doing environmental work. I was had the privilege of being one of those last few. I said my goodbyes last month ~ bittersweet and with tears.Today was the annual dinner for former Asarco Tacoma employees. At my first dinner 16 years ago there were almost 200 attendees. There were less than 38 today. As I was preparing to go, I thought of how much I enjoy catching up with old friends at these dinners ~ only to realize how many were no longer living. As the sound of the smelter whistle was played once again after reading the names of this year's deceased, I was struck with what a treasure we have lost.
Not everyone appreciates what these hard working people gave to this community. Smelter work is dirty, sweaty and real. It paid well enough put generations of kids through college, providing opportunities that their parents only dreamed of. The medical clinic treated the whole family for free ~ Doctor Pinto and Nurse Johnny were legends. It was a big family, with pride in producing the copper vital to America and building strong connections.
The dinner tonight held a special treat. A 93-year old gentleman played his guitar while a lovely lady sang a few old songs. Everyone joined in the chorus of Home On The Range and Amazing Grace. It was a brief glimpse into a different era, where entertainment was simple and folks enjoyed just being together.
As I left I was struck with the fact that my granddaughter will never know the details of this generation. She'll read the history books, maybe listen to some of my stories ~ but she won't be as close to those who actually lived out this history. I have been lucky to work with so many great men and women. It has been a privilege to touch history through these friends. An era comes to a close ~ one that gave us a strong foundation and built a positive future. May we remember and appreciate...
6 comments:
I should note that I am not the last Tacoma employee. There is one more, who will likely be moving soon...
So are you working somewhere else now?
Not yet. I hope to continue to work on the yard replacment program that has been taken over by EPA, but nothing is confirmed yet.
Karen, what a ride, huh. I do miss "the family" also. Something has definatly been lost yet something new is emerging, lets all hope we can shepherd wisely.
I do miss the Smelter whistle (and the little squealy whistle several seconds later. I don't miss little squealy when it sounded the 44 alarm--residential fire in Ruston. That scared me to death. I also don't miss those early winter mornings when the inversion of air kept the smoke low when we played at recess on the blacktop at Ruston Elem. It felt like I was breathing razor blades, and I tasted blood.
Its amazing to me that the effects of arsenic and lead poisoning were known in the 1950s and took until the 1980s for action to be taken.
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