Thank You, Govies: A Gratitude Roundup to Keep You Going Through the Shutdown

Working for the government can be challenging enough on a normal day—and the current prolonged government shutdown is far from normal. Right now, hundreds of thousands of federal government employees and contractors are either working without pay or furloughed. While thank yous won’t pay the bills, simply knowing that people are grateful can help govies deal with shutdown stress.

Here’s a roundup of just some of the abundant gratitude people have been sharing on social media since the shutdown began.

Leave your own thank yous in the comments, and we’ll share with our community.

Thanks for your courage

Most federal workers I've met are an inspiration. Many earn far less than they'd make in the private sector. They believe in service and making America the best it can be. Values that stand in contrast to those now playing games with their livelihoods and our national purpose.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 27, 2018

The Key family wants to extend our deepest gratitude to the men & women of the federal government affected by the #shutdown. We stand with you at all times. The nation you serve owes a great debt to you for the work you do in delivering civilization to us every day. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/LoCxJdPLxW

— Key Exec. Leadership (@AUKeyPrograms) January 3, 2019

Finally, to our nation’s public servants: thank you.

Thank you for all the work you do to protect our nation, to care for our communities, and to make a lasting, positive impact on each and every American.
4/4

— Sylvia M. Burwell (@SylviaBurwell) January 4, 2019

Thanks for your commitment

As “non-essential” federal workers complied with stop work orders, people began to notice their absence in public parks, at national monuments, in research labs, in hospitals, at conferences, and in offices and workplaces around the country—and were grateful to those compelled to work during the shutdown.

Thanks to our research colleagues in federal agencies who continue work that is critical to our local & national economy, jobs, health, well-being, resources while the shutdown continues.

— Roger Bales (@rbalesuc) January 6, 2019

On Day 2 of gov shutdown, let’s thank the public servants who conserve our natural resources & protect public health @Interior @NatlParkService @USFWS @BLMNational @USIndianAffairs @USGS @USBR @OSMRE @BSEEgov @BOEM_DOI @EPA @NOAA @USDA @HHSGov @TheJusticeDept

They deserve better pic.twitter.com/u2tMaJhQaG

— Collin O'Mara (@Collin_OMara) December 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/SGottliebFDA/status/1078047884057165824

Thinking of our #publiclands stewards working today, those who wish they were working but are furloughed, and all those who are impacted by the shutdown.

My gratitude and love for your integrity, dedication, professionalism and tireless stewardship of our shared commons. pic.twitter.com/Ba9m5B7a83

— Public Land Lover (@publiclandlvr) December 25, 2018

I spent two days off work this week at @NMAAHC and I am awed and humbled. I'm also so grateful to the dedicated people working there through the holidays, with the knowledge that the museum will be closed as of Jan. 2nd if the shutdown continues.

— Jillian Weinberger (@jbweinz) December 29, 2018

For all the federal folks working through the #shutdown, and to those furloughed and unable to channel their passion into service to the public, thank you for what you do. And we’ll miss you at #ams2019. Hope to see y’all very soon.

Thanks for reading.

15/15

— Nate Johnson (@nsj) January 7, 2019

Drove into work this morning thinking about my friends at @US_FDA who are currently furloughed or working without pay during the shut down. Thank you all for continuing to protect and promote the public health.

— Dr. Hisani (@Dr_Hisani) January 2, 2019

Thanks for protecting travelers

Because they are considered “essential” staff, most TSA employees have been working hard without pay, even during the busy holiday travel season. Again and again, people went out of their way to give thanks to TSA workers for all they did to keep airports secure.

I forgot to thank the @TSA folks working without pay today to get us safely on board. So here's to each of you and all government workers getting through until this is over. We are standing with you.

— Lynne King Smith (@lynnekingsmith) January 4, 2019

Thank you. As a furloughed Fed, the hardest part can often be the vitriol directed our way in this incredibly stressful time. A little kindness goes a long way!

— Dr. Annette McCarthy (@RsterAM) January 8, 2019

I can confirm that TSA did a great job yesterday at ATL airport. It was frankly one of the easiest/best TSA experiences I've had. The man who checked my ID and ticket even said "Thank you. Have a great flight."

Reminder how hard-working federal employees are despite #shutdown https://t.co/RwssvoI4vP

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) January 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/CT_Bergstrom/status/1082542415926312960

Thanked each and every TSA agent I encountered in line to get into SeaTac airport’s terminal. Thank you for working despite the uncertainty of when you’ll receive your next paycheck due to the partial shutdown!

— Brad Carl (@DCBradCarl) January 8, 2019

Thanks for keeping us safe

The National Weather Service is one of the agencies that continues to work on “mission-essential functions” during the government shutdown. As winter storms worked their way across the United States, people sang the praises of NWS staff working without pay.

Thinking about our fellow meteorologists, friends and family working for free during the shutdown. Hoping it is resolved soon. Thank you for continuing to provide the private sector with critical weather balloon, satellite and radar data. https://t.co/7GrNCddTwc

— Brent Watts WDBJ (@wattsupbrent) January 6, 2019

Areas in pink are in Winter Storm Warnings. Thanks to all the @NWS field offices and national centers working this high impact event during the partial government shutdown. #kswx @NWSGoodland pic.twitter.com/fRRC772cIp

— Scott Mentzer (@ScottMentzer) December 26, 2018

I want to give a big shout out & thank you to my friends/colleagues at the @NWS offices across the county. They’ll still be working to keep you safe during the government shutdown, even though they won't receive a paycheck until it reopens @NWSHuntsville @NWSSiouxFalls

— Brandon Spinner WCPO (@wxSpinner89) December 23, 2018

We thank all our dedicated and hard working NWS employees who will be working through the shutdown. It's not an easy time for them. They should NOT have to be going through this, again especially with the holidays. https://t.co/0wTCcm2Xmq

— Aubrey Urbanowicz (@WeatherAubs) December 22, 2018

Simply, thank you

https://twitter.com/Travonne/status/1082410995958439936

You can find all of GovLoop’s shutdown coverage here.

Lauren Girardin is a marketing and communications consultant, freelance writer, and trainer based in San Francisco. She helps organizations engage their communities and tell their stories. Her website is laurengirardin.com and you can connect with her on Twitter at @girardinl.