This year, I think we can all be especially thankful!

November the 24^th, on an otherwise glorious Thursday, our Nation will take pause to celebrate Thanksgiving. This being an annual national holiday marked by religious observances and a traditional meal including turkey. The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November. For millions of us, it is also a time to reflect on just how fortunate we are to live in a country like these United States. (For myself, personally, it is also a time of political celebration).

I would hope that we all take a moment to reflect on who and what we are as a Republic and where we are heading in the coming years. That we will face great challenges is a given. But, with new leadership in the Executive branch and in both Houses, I have a great hope that we may soon shake off the doom and gloom that seems to have pervaded the country for so long, And then, perhaps we can begin to make positive and common sense decisions concerning the very large concerns and hardships that are shared by so many. 

I know also that many of our citizenry will be working on that day. Men and women, who maintain essential services, will be on the job as will be many who work in the service industry. My hat goes off especially to these people, along with all those who have died in past wars, just so I can celebrate this day as a free man. May God look down upon all of us and may He guide us forward as a Nation... Amen!