Category Archives: Jobs

Honoring Those Who Go Before Us – Dick Fallow

Posted on July 23, 2005 by bfiacarolinevernon

Honoring Those Who Go Before Us
Dick Fallow – 08/23/20

by Caroline Vernon

It has been in my heart for some time to share the stories of various individuals who have committed their hearts and minds in service to this great country as well as their fellow man. It is not the first mile of compulsion or duty that will transform man and his world, but rather the second mile of free service and liberty- loving devotion. So it is with gratitude and reverence that I am compelled to share the first of many profiles in courage with Blog For Iowa. Dick Fallow was an easy first choice for me. If ever there was a second-miler… Dick is the man!

Dick Fallow was born in Hartford, Connecticut on August 23, 1920, to parents Gladys Bennett and Everett Fallow. The youngest of three children (one sister, one brother), Dick grew up on the East Coast during the Great Depression. As a young man he worked various jobs before enlisting in the American Field Service during WWII. The AFS consisted of many people who were unable to go into combat but wanted to be of service by helping the allied forces. Dick served as an ambulance driver for two years, assigned to the 8th British Army – most of their troops were primarily in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England. Although they were technically not allowed in combat, these drivers were often under fire. After the war, the AMS went on to promote peace and understanding among people through student exchange services.

After his stint with the AMS, Dick joined the United Electrical and Radio Workers Union in 1945. It wasn’t long before the organization realized Dick’s talents and put them to good use. Dick was a Business Union Rep – a boomer – someone who went around to different job sites, assisting with organizing and various campaigns. This brought him to Sioux County in NW Iowa in the late 40's, where he met his wife, Mickey, of 47 years. Dick and Mickey were married in 1951, and later moved to the Quad Cities in 1952 where they settled in order to raise their three daughters. At that time Dick joined with the local AFL-CIO.

By 1967, the AFL National Staff recruited Dick to help coordinate national efforts in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Dick continues to have long-standing associations through the National Federation of Labor as well as the National Alliance of Retired Americans. He officially retired in 1988, but those of us who know him realize he never REALLY retired. He continues to compel and inspire his colleagues of many years as well as the younger generations. Dick believes, above all else, dignity and fairness on the job is most important; “We’re all in this together – combined, we all can make a difference”.
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Posted in Civil Liberties, Corporate Greed, DFQC, Education, Jobs, Labor, Main Page, Progressive Community | Comments Off

Social Security – Am I my brother’s keeper?

Posted on July 20, 2005 by bfiacarolinevernon

MUSINGS FROM THE DIRECTOR Social Security: Am I My Brother's Keeper? by Reverend Ron Quay – Churches United I am very honored to introduce Rev. Ron Quay to Blog for Iowa. Reverend Quay is the Director of Churches United here … Continue reading →

Posted in Calls to Action, Corporate Greed, DFQC, Education, Guest Posts, How You Can Help, Jobs, Labor, Main Page, National News, Progressive Community | Comments Off

Can Iowa Compete in A Science-based Economy?

Posted on July 12, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Can Iowa Compete in A Science-based Economy? This is a topic that I definitely have more to speak about, but this will be fairly short today. Fred Dorr, a former West Des Moines School Board Member penned an editorial promoting … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Greed, Education, Iowa in the News, Jobs, Main Page | 4 Comments

CAFTA: Where Do We Stand?

Posted on July 6, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

CAFTA: Where Do We Stand? Following up from yesterday's post – there have been many items written about CAFTA, and why “The Democrats” seem to be taking different positions with regard to free trade. The Washington Post writes CAFTA Reflects … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

Make Wal-Mart Care About Health Care Demonstration

Posted on July 2, 2005 by bfiacarolinevernon

Make Wal-Mart Care About Health Care Demonstration by Caroline Vernon Earlier today, many local organizations in unison with UFCW’s Wake Up Wal-Mart Campaign and Democracy For America, organized and demonstrated against the Davenport Wal-Mart on Elmore St, in an effort … Continue reading →

Posted in DFQC, Health Care & Medicare, Iowa in the News, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

Justices Uphold Taking Property for Development

Posted on June 24, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Justices Uphold Taking Property for Development Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision which allows local governments the right to use eminent domain to appropriate private property for commercial development purposes. The 5-to-4 decision cleared the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Corporate Greed, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

Issues of the Day

Posted on June 21, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Issues of the Day Over at TPMCafe, Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is guest-blogging, where he writes “The Decline of the American Middle Class Is THE Issue”. The reality today is that for the vast majority of Americans their standard … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Corporate Greed, Environment, Farming, Iowa in the News, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

A Matter of Class

Posted on June 16, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

A Matter of Class For those of you who missed Morgan Spurlock's “30 Days” last night – you missed some very powerful television. The struggle that Spurlock & his fiancee went through to make it for 30 days on minimum … Continue reading →

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Hunger Grows Rapidly in Northeast Iowa

Posted on June 10, 2005 by bfialindathieman

Hunger Grows Rapidly in Northeast Iowa Iowa Fiscal Partnership New study shows demand at Waterloo food bank has almost doubled in the last four years WATERLOO, Iowa — One in 11 Iowans is “food insecure,” creating a demand for food … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

Dealing With The Devil

Posted on June 2, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Dealing With The Devil For those of us in the Central Iowa area, there has been a rather interesting battle going on between the West Des Moines City Council, the citizens of West Des Moines – and Wal-Mart. The basics: … Continue reading →

Posted in Jobs, Local Events, Main Page | 4 Comments