The American Worker, 1939-1945

The American Worker, 1939-1945. We Can Do It!. , On 29 December 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced "it is the purpose of the nation to build now with all possible speed every machine, every arsenal, every factory that we need to manufacture our defense material. We have the men, the skill, the wealth, and above all, the will." He concluded thus: "As President of the United States, I call for that national effort. I call for it in the name of this nation which we love and honor and which we are privileged and proud to serve. I call upon our people with absolute confidence that our common cause will greatly succeed." At that time, about forty-three percent of the American workforce called upon to build “the great arsenal for democracy” were blue-collar laborers. , , Vast geographical migration of workers, infusions of women and blacks in the labor pool, and growth of union shops all figure in the development of the industrial base so critical to the planning and preparation for D-Day - and to its successful execution. These lyrics written by the Almanac Singers and sung in October of 1942 at the seventh annual convention of the United Auto Workers (UAW) provide a broad-brush summary of the contributions the American Worker made to the Allied victory: , , I was standing down on Gratiot Street one day, , When I thought I overheard a soldier say, , "Every tank and plane in camp , Carries the UAW stamp, , I am UAW, too, I’m proud to say” , , I was there when that union came to town, , I was there when that union came to town; , I was standing at gate four , When I heard the people roar: , There 11 be UAW tanks - "Ain't nobody keeps us auto-workers down." , , Chorus: , It's that UAW-CIO , Makes that army roll and go, , Turnin' out jeeps and tanks and airplanes every day. , It's that UAW-CIO, makes that army roll and go - Puts wheels on the USA. , , The membership of the United Auto Workers across this great land recognize the commitment, contributions, and spirit of the American Workforce as a key element in the Allied victory in World War II. Given on Veterans Day 2008 by the Veterans Committee of UAW Local 2069, Dublin, Virginia.