Rich Cedron is a 35-year Union Carpenter, Diabetes Advocate, and President of the Friends of Marconi, the lead plaintiff in the Christopher Columbus statute case, which had been fought since the Summer of 2020 after the social justice protests over the death of George Floyd. The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to remove the statute to the objections of some in the Italian American community who see Christopher Columbus as a representative of the achievements of Italian-Americans and others in the community who see him as a divisive person engaging in the destruction of indigenous people. This conversation discusses the challenges of balancing the needs of one community to maintain what they perceive to be their heritage while respecting the voices of groups who believe those traditions have harmed them. We also discuss the importance of young people learning union trades as a path to economic prosperity. Lastly, discuss Rich's struggle with Diabetes and how he has learned to survive and thrive through this illness that impacts millions of Americans.