Employees returning to work at the Pentagon found a memo from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel thanking them for dealing with Congress' "manufactured crisis"

This is all because President Obama signed House Resolution 2775, the legislation that re-opened the government allowed the United States to avoid default.

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, issued a statement and memorandum on the morning of Oct. 17 (Eastern Time) telling agencies to re-open. The memorandum said, "All employees who were on furlough due to the absence of appropriations may now return to work. You should reopen offices in a prompt and orderly manner."

CBS News reports that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sent out a memo to all Department of Defense employees, particularly apologizing to those that were not among the thousands he was able to recall as essential staff midway through the shutdown.

"I know that each of your lives has been disrupted and affected in different ways. I regret the impact that this shutdown had on so many of our civilian personnel," wrote Hagel. "This manufactured crisis was an unwelcome and unnecessary distraction from our critical work of keeping the country safe."

 According to a pool report, Vice President Biden stopped by the EPA headquarters to welcome workers back. The same pool report said Ettereteen Welch - a security officer who works the morning shift - said, '"It [the government shutdown] was depressing."'

Of course, there is no guarantee that government workers are free from the threat of future shutdowns. The deal made by Congress only keeps government services funded until January 15. If a long-term budget plan isn't made by then, another furlough will take place. On the bright side, at least the National Zoo's giant panda webcam is back online. 

Reach Senior Reporter Max Schwartz here; follow him on Twitter here.