Labor Day is Monday. Will you work or play?

From the Oceanfront to downtown Portsmouth, we spoke to 20 people last week about their plans for Labor Day and what the holiday meant to them. They included a bus driver, a CEO, a lifeguard, a mail carrier and a CPA.

Not surprisingly, for most, it’s a time to head to the beach or a barbecue and mark the end of summer and school vacation. For some, the holiday serves as a reminder of the benefits of working in the United States, as well as the challenges still facing some workers and those who don’t have jobs.

For many, though, it’s just another day at work.

This is what they had to say.

Marc Schwartz, 48, of Virginia Beach Co-owner of Memory Lane Sports stores in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake

“I plan to work. It’s retail – that’s the nature of the business. Monday I will be at the Pembroke Mall store. It’s the end of the summer. That means instead of putting so much focus on this store (on the Oceanfront), I start putting more focus on the Greenbrier and Pembroke Mall stores.”

Keisha Whitaker, 42, of Suffolk Co-owner of Jungle Gym LLC, moving from Virginia Beach to Portsmouth

“Normally, Labor Day is a day of labor rest, cooking out and relaxing. But this year, it’s going to be a Labor Day for working. We’ll be cleaning, painting and disinfecting, so we can get the business open in September.”

Chuck Thomas, 42, of Chesapeake Senior photographer, Old Dominion University

“Actually, I’m going to jump on the motorcycle and attempt to go to Greenville, N.C., and, if I’m lucky, make it down to Atlantic Beach. Usually now, Labor Day is an excuse for me to hop on the motorcycle and disappear. Most people look at it as the end of summer. It’s a time for the changing of the seasons.”

Erin Lundy, 29, of Norfolk Art director in Norfolk

“I think about friends and family and good food and beaches. I’m going to visit my family and go to a wedding at the Outer Banks. I always go to the Outer Banks on Labor Day.”

Joe Elder, 55, of Portsmouth Co-owner of Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery, Portsmouth

“I would say most likely we’ll be open for business, weather permitting. My wife and I run this business ourselves. We really work seven days a week. It’s another day of labor for us. Hopefully, there’ll be customers.”

Lindsey Anderson, 26, of Virginia Beach Associate, Stephen Merritt CPA PC, Virginia Beach

“I just think of being thankful for the military and all the freedoms and things that we have. We don’t really have any plans, just grill out and relax. ”

Heather Harvey, 20, of Norfolk Old Dominion University student and barista, Bean There Cafe, Norfolk

“We have off to appreciate everyone who works. It gives them a break. This is my first job – it’s a new experience for me. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to work. I don’t mind. I want to learn the trade. My parents may come down; my dad’s birthday is on the 2nd. If not, it’s just: 'What are my friends up to?’”

Tommy Bell, 35, of Norfolk Business manager, Iron Workers Local 79, Norfolk

“I’m invited as a special guest of the Hampton Democratic Committee to their breakfast saluting workers. The rest of the day, I’ll spend time with family. It’s a day to recognize the hard work and dedication of American workers and to give honor to the people that build and maintain this country every day of the year. It’s also a day to remember the struggle that the labor movement has been through to give workers safer conditions, a 40-hour work week and overtime pay and to realize that the struggle continues for American workers to secure reasonable compensation, health care and retirement benefits.”

Karen Drosinos, 34, of Virginia Beach Kindergarten teacher, Pembroke Elementary School, Virginia Beach

“We’re going to have a family picnic at the beach. I’m crossing my fingers that the riptides are going to be OK. Every year, I have a scavenger hunt for my daughter and any kids that come with us. It is kind of bittersweet. We’re saying goodbye to summer, the last hurrah before school starts. The sweet part of it is, I love my job. I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

Matthew Danner, 20, of Virginia Beach Tidewater Community College student and lifeguard, Virginia Beach

“I’ll be on the stand by 9:30, and I’ll be there all the way to 6. I’m pretty excited to be working on Labor Day. It’s the last day for a big crowd. There’s a really good chance for me to help people. But it’s kind of sad. We come out here on Labor Day, and all the stands will be staffed. The next day, half of them will be empty. It’s the end of summer.”

Tom Reel, 62, of Norfolk Bassist, Virginia Symphony

“Labor Day is a chance to reflect on the fact that we’re all in this together, whether you play in an orchestra or you’re a farm worker. There are great challenges these days for working people – not to mention people who would like to be working. Being mindful of what all of us have in common in America is what the holiday means to me. I don’t have any specific plans right now. I’ll probably spend a little time practicing and getting ready for the season.”

Gerald Smith, 49, of Virginia Beach Letter carrier, Virginia Beach

“We’re having a cookout for family and friends at the house. It reminds me how fortunate we are to live in a country where you can make decent wages and benefits and reap the reward for all the hard work you do on Labor Day. My wife is from the Philippines. We were over there a couple of years ago to visit. I noticed how people work over there. They’re lucky to make $10 a day, with no health benefits. We’re very fortunate, and we take it for granted in this country.”

Fred Ortmann, 61, of Virginia Beach Marine engineer, Halcrow Inc., Virginia Beach

“It’s just another day off – it’s great. I’m not going to the beach. I never go to the beach on the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or Labor Day. I’ll just have dinner with my brother and hang around the house.”

Selina Dunne, 52, of Virginia Beach Bus operator, Hampton Roads Transit

“I’m off on Monday. I have three children and we’re going to meet some friends at their pool and have a cookout and swim and have fun. I usually work on Labor Day. It just happens that my days off now are Sunday and Monday. It doesn’t matter to me. My job affords me a home and the food we eat. I work hard when I work, and I play hard when I play.”

In Tai Ryu , 37, of Chesapeake Sales and business development , LeftBrain Systems, Virginia Beach

“I’ll probably work in the morning. I’m installing a server (at the office) Monday. That should be pretty straightforward. It will probably take from 8 to 12. Then I’m going to the beach. I have a 10-year-old son who starts school on Tuesday, and he loves the beach. For me, Labor Day is the end of summer and the beginning of school and fall and football.”

Suzy Kelly, 55, of Chesapeake CEO of Jo-Kell Inc., Chesapeake, and member of Chesapeake City Council

“Actually, I will be returning from our Jacksonville office that day. When I return, I will probably be doing some manual labor in my house. We just had some remodeling done, and I’ll be doing some cleaning up. As a business owner, I have to tell you that I am so grateful to have remarkable employees that provide their labor and their talents that contribute to the success of my company. It’s a day off for them.”

Barbara Wilson, 48, of Chesapeake Downtown hot dog vendor and co-owner of Oh! Taste-n-See, Portsmouth

“I’ll be off on Monday because the courts are closed and my husband is closing the restaurant. It’s the only day everyone in the family is off work. We plan to rest the whole day from our labors and enjoy each other’s company and thank God for still being employed.”

Fred Schoenfeld, 65, of Portsmouth Owner of the Commodore Theatre, Portsmouth

“We’re open for two shows on Labor Day, so it’s no holiday for me. I look at it from a business perspective. It’s a transition. Like Memorial Day is a transition into summer, Labor Day is a transition out of summer.”

The Rev. Geoffrey Guns, 61, of Virginia Beach Senior pastor, Second Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk

“I’ve just come back from Nigeria, and every time I come back with a greater sense of appreciation for where I live. Labor Day gives me an appreciation for the opportunity to live in a country where you are free to choose your own profession and field and pursue your dreams and possibly to fulfill them. Labor Day is also a time for me and my wife to spend time together without having to be on a schedule.”

Mary Commander, 53, of Norfolk Family law attorney, Norfolk

“Lawyers are a different breed. We like holidays. That’s when we catch up on paperwork. The phone doesn’t ring, and we don’t have to go to court. I lock myself up in my office and don’t answer the phones and do all the paperwork that people have been screaming at me to do. And I can wear a T-shirt and sweatpants. Holidays are really a day that I either catch up on work or I get to not do work.”

Philip Walzer, (757) 222-3864, phil.walzer@pilotonline.com