by Thornton B.
My dad and uncle
began work at the Martin Marietta cement plant in Thomaston, Maine, in the 1950s.
The plant was a very desirable place to work because of the high pay and
generous benefits. It was difficult to get hired as there were few openings.
Fortunately for
me, I had family members working there, and that helped me to get
hired as temporary laborer in 1969. The company and the work environment were
an ideal match, and I had the opportunity to become a full-time employee,
advancing to management a few years later. Although the cement plant was sold by
Martin Marietta in 1983, and has had several owners over the years, the
opportunities for advancement and career fulfillment were still possible.
Although Dad
had retired in 1977, he still had the opportunity to see his son become the
plant manager in 1994. I have since retired after 39 years in the same place,
but will always look back and remember that Martin Marietta gave me the chance
to have a fine career in an industry that was far removed from what my were
youthful aspirations. A modern version of the plant is still operating and has
been a vital part of the local economy for nearly 100 years. Martin Marietta
has had a significant part of that history as well as a defining part of my
personal history.
