In many ways, Ed Stary, Jr., was a typical Minnesotan. He loved the outdoors and the occasional trip to a casino. He was devoted to Vicki, his wife of 34 years.

Then last year, shortly before he would have reached 40 years with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, he was killed in a truck accident while on duty. Stary and the 28 other MNDOT employees who have died on the job over the past several years were remembered Thursday in a Workers Memorial Day ceremony at MNDOT metro district headquarters and in memorials set up at all 29 metro worksites.

"It is a day to recognize that a life lived in public service is a valuable life ? a life worth remembering," Metro District Engineer Patrick Hughes said.

Workers Memorial Day was commemorated across the nation in events at hundreds of workplaces. April 28 is the anniversary of Congressional passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Memorial Day focuses on remembering those who have been killed and injured on the job and on calling for stronger measures to improve safety.

"It is so important to remember him on this important day," Vicki Stary said, as she described her husband to those gathered at the metro district office. "He loved his job and many of his co-workers."

At MNDOT metro district headquarters, AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Eliot Seide spoke with Vicki Stary, whose husband, Ed. was killed on the job. She holds a plaque honoring her husband. Workday Minnesota photo

Several of those who spoke took the opportunity to urge drivers to be careful in highway construction zones, where several MNDOT employees and others have been killed and injured.

"Public service is tough work, but the work we do is critical to the infrastructure and transportation of the state of Minnesota," said Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5, which represents more than 40,000 public employees, including many at MNDOT.

"Please drive safely, we ask the citizens of the state," he said.

"We have a single message ? slow down and buckle up," said David Semerad, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota. "Both hands on the wheel. Put the cellphone away."

In a taped message played at the ceremony, Lt. Gov. and MNDOT Commissioner Carol Molnau noted that more than 200 road and bridge construction projects will be under way this summer and urged motorists to slow down.

Southern Dakota County ceremony
On Wednesday evening, the Southern Dakota County Labor Council held a Workers Memorial Day event at Lebanon Cemetery in Apple Valley. The council has placed a monument and planted four spruce trees as part of a 10-year plan to build a permanent workers' memorial at the cemetery.

A memorial to Ed Stary, Jr., was set up at MNDOT metro district headquarters. Workday Minnesota photo

Robert Stelter of the United Steel Workers and Apple Valley mayor Mary Hamann-Roland were among two dozen elected officials, union members and others commemorating Workers Memorial Day in a ceremony sponsored by the Southern Dakota County Labor Council. The Wednesday evening ceremony, at Lebanon Cemetery in Apple Valley, witnessed some unusual weather, including a brief snow squall followed by a rainbow. Union Advocate photo

The Southern Dakota County Labor Council already has placed this monument and planted four spruce trees, part of a 10-year plan to build a permanent workers' memorial at the cemetery. Union Advocate photo