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The photo above is from Holy Cross Cemetery in Grand Rapids.

Each year on this weekend, volunteer groups in our community place flags on gravesites. They do so quietly and with little fanfare. You won’t see very many news interviews or human interest stories, because their mission this weekend is not about self-promotion or publicity. It is simply to honor the fallen. To recognize the implicit connection between freedom and sacrifice.

It’s refreshing to see that this spirit pervades Americana throughout time. Underneath the noise of the day-to-day news cycle, cultural battles, trends and crazes, the reality of what our nation is and the ordeals we’ve undergone in the becoming remain in the hearts of the people.

Though today’s skies are grey and overcast, the forecasts predict a warm and pleasant weekend ahead. Many of us have fun plans with our families to ring in a long-awaited summer. As well we should.

It’s nice also to take a moment or two to reflect on those who have passed — particularly our veterans who died in service, for which the holiday on Monday is designated. If you feel inclined, take a look at these Memorial Day events in our area, courtesy of MLive.

We here at Micron wish you and yours a happy Memorial Day.

Watch: Micron produced a short video on how we create the Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) systems we employ at our shop.

Total Productive Maintenance, or TPM, is a key operational activity in lean manufacturing. These systems ensure machines and work areas are maintained on a regular and scheduled basis. By implementing TPM systems, we ensure consistency in our maintenance of the machines. This results in less downtime, better machine operation, and higher productivity.

We presented this video in the 2022 PMPA National Technical Conference as part of a presentation on TPM systems. Micron coordinated with Champion Screw Machine Engineering and SPC Innovations to deliver this presentation.

Hat tip to Micron’s Dave Seabrook for producing this great instructional video.

Micron recently donated funds to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees — a cause that is near to our hearts.

Our contribution, $2,750 in total, was pooled from the company, company owners, and employees. This donation will provide aid to Ukrainian refugees through Catholic Relief Services.

Part of our mission at Micron is to give back to our community and our world. Our hope is that this aid will help ease the burden of those affected by the war.

What this donation supports

Catholic Relief Services provides food, clothing, transport to safe shelter, cash assistance, counseling and care for children to the estimated 4 million refugees who have fled Ukraine in recent years. CRS partners with Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of grassroots crisis aid organizations inspired by the Catholic faith.

We selected Catholic Relief Services as the charity we wished to support partly because a large portion of their funding — 93% — goes to their relief programs. We also found that CRS and its partner organizations are well established in the region and have a track record of providing aid.

Since the start of the conflict, CRS partners Caritas Ukraine (of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and Caritas Spes (of the Roman Catholic Church) have supported more than 750,000 people. This includes providing food for more than 550,000 people; distributing more than 105,000 hygiene kits; and medicine and medical support for nearly 45,000 people. They have transformed churches into child-friendly spaces, provided food at train stations, and provided transportation to borders. Recent assessments have identified new needs for long-term shelter for displaced families as well as a greater focus on counseling and mental health support, including for staff.

Catholic Relief Services

We are confident this organization’s efforts will be a source of relief and hope for the displaced Ukrainians. And we are proud of the small part we are able to play in their mission.

Special thanks

We’d like to especially thank our employees for joining us in this cause. Your participation is testament that we are living our values.

Those displaced by war are in our prayers. If you would like to join us in supporting Ukrainian refugees through Catholic Relief Services’ efforts, please visit CRS.org’s Ukraine support page.