Message from the President
Just prior to the turn of the 21st century, a number of people experienced real anxiety as they contemplated what the future held. Of particular concern was the perceived inability of computers to properly deal with the upcoming “00” date. Remember? As a consequence, fears of planes falling out of the sky and the entire planet shutting down made daily papers and evening news. Fortunately, very few of those concerns were ever realized.
Then on September 11, 2001, the world experienced a real tragedy. Though the brunt of that horrific event was borne exclusively by the United States, it has since escalated into a global war on terrorism. That war, and subsequent way of life, are still ongoing to this day; and no one knows for sure how or when they will end.
In addition, there have been other concerns the past few years. Anthrax, the DC and Northern Virginia snipers, Katrina and Rita hurricanes all made headline news. Even global warming (according to NOAA, the 2006 average annual temperature for the contiguous U.S. was the warmest on record), “annual” H5N1 avian influenza (“bird flu”) scares, global financial crisis, and, most recently, the WHO’s Phase 3 pandemic alert (swine flu outbreak) are sources of much uncertainty. Yet, through them all, life has gone on; and the United States of America still remains the best place in the world to live, work and play.
The reason for the above assertion can be exemplified by a quote from Omar Bradley:
“We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.”
Traditionally, the United States has always “looked up,” even beyond the stars. As a result, her businesses, military and individual citizens have been strengthened when they rose to meet the challenges of life. Every time there has been a difficult situation, America has turned out for the better. The light at the end of the proverbial tunnel has always been brighter than that which this great land of ours left behind. What a testimony that is!
This is not just the opinion of a grateful, small business employer. As an anonymous author once said,
“No matter what other nations may say about the United States,
immigration is still the sincerest form of flattery.”
The facts surrounding America’s numerous successes and, hence, greatness are equally self-evident. Who would imagine, for example, the wealth of a country less than 300 years old would far exceed the economies and technologies of other countries that have existed for thousands of years? This age differential has given some nations a 1,900% head start over the United States. Others have had economic head starts due to their massive oil reserves and diamond mines which formed long before the governments that now claim them. And, yet, most of the world follows the upward (and, yes, downward) trends set by our economic situations.
Another example stems from the United States’ population of approximately 300,000,000. This figure is relatively small when compared to the numbers of people of other nations. If, however, this massive disparity was observed during a sporting event, the opposing team would undoubtedly incur a penalty due to their overwhelming advantage (in one case, having an excess of a billion extra people). Yet, by most estimates, there is only one superpower left in the world; and it goes without saying who that is.
Finally, the United States is not the largest nation on the planet either. However, though she has considerably less square footage than the landmasses of others, America is still the country who is frequently called upon to ship her “amber waves of grain” to the less fortunate of the world.
The odds against any one of the aforementioned successes actually happening are enormous. Consequently, the fact that they all have occurred defies logic and rational thought. Instead, their occurrences border on miraculous, especially when considering the sum of our country’s successes together.
It obviously does not take a “rocket scientist” to see how incredibly blessed the United States of America has been. So, who or what is the source of those blessings? Are they simply a matter of chance, coincidence, or even luck; or is there something or someone more deserving of that credit?
In dealing with logic, science, and mathematics, it is usually best to refer to those who “wrote the book.” This is a principle in which Marine Chemist Service is accustomed; especially since the past practices of these eminent scientists are now the sources of our laboratory’s analytical methods and instrumentation. Though many of these scientists do not need an introduction, one aspect of their lives is less readily known. In addition to their obvious contributions to technical hypotheses, theories, and laws, they also believed in a higher Authority governing everything in the same world of their research.
Galileo was one such person. He said, “Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe.” Isaac Newton had similar views regarding the universe. He said, “The most beautiful system could only proceed from the dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.” Einstein, too, had a lot to say about things he could not explain. Many of his heartfelt beliefs have been quoted the past century including, “The more I study science, the more I believe in God.”
Not only did the most brilliant, scientific minds recognize the contributions of God, so too did the founding fathers of the United States of America. Their faith was the principle influence that separated this great land of ours from others. Since the beginning of our history, many examples of their work have been penned on paper and carved in stone. The Declaration of Independence, for example, states that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Pledge Allegiance refers to “One Nation under God.” Our national anthem, historic buildings in Washington DC and on college campuses around the country, and even our currency, display the sentiment, “In God We Trust.” And though there are many more examples, perhaps one of the best is the first verse of America the Beautiful (keeping in mind, God is actually mentioned in all eight verses):
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
God has indeed shed His grace on thee. God has truly blessed the United States of America (an answer to requests of even our contemporary presidents). And, His grace, His blessings are so abundant they have also shined on American businesses and the employees who run them.
Like the United States in which it operates, Marine Chemist Service has been immensely blessed. The corporation has beaten the odds of surviving its early years (which, according to many introductory business books and university research, 70-80% of new businesses do not survive their first year. In addition, 50% of those businesses remaining will not make it to their fifth anniversary. And though it is true some industries have higher success rates than these statistics suggest, Marine Chemist Service is not in any of them). Furthermore, MCS has survived several economic slowdowns and recessions, military downsizing and wars, and we have cringed more than once when local hurricanes and ice/snow storms kept our doors closed on account of impassable roads and loss of power.
Despite the aforementioned deterrents, Marine Chemist Service has grown exponentially. Rapidly approaching its 43rd year, the corporation has two physical locations that serve beyond the borders of the continental United States. MCS offers ten products and services, has trained over ten thousand student-employees, and provided tens times that number of inspections. The Laboratory division, though, holds the record by analyzing approximately a half-million samples.
Though the definitive growth just mentioned comprises the bulk of measurable successes here at Marine Chemist Service, there is one additional success that is even more notable. Over the years, MCS has developed a fine reputation in the eyes of both its customers and competitors. This remarkable achievement has been made possibly by a group of dedicated people who make this place their “home away from home.” That group is, of course, the employees of Marine Chemist Service.
Everyone here at Marine Chemist Service is more than a worker. They are also friends who have bonded with fellow workers and clients alike. Each is known by the quality of their work, as well as their hobbies, interests and families. As a result, their vocation is more than a job; especially considering it also involves preserving the environment and protecting the health and lives of others. They are very conscientious about their roles, and often give “110%.” The employees of Marine Chemist Service are the Corporation’s greatest asset. Without their presence, talents, and amazing attitudes, the success MCS now enjoys would be significantly less.
Living in the United States of America is incredible. So, too, is working for a corporation whose products and services aid our planet and its most distinguished inhabitants. Best of all, though, is interacting day-in and day-out with a group of people who truly care. Words cannot express just how phenomenal that is. We have a lot to be thankful, and in the minds of many there is no doubt to Whom those thanksgivings should be directed.
May God continue to bless the United States of America, Marine Chemist Service, its employees, their families, and close work associates like you!