WASHINGTON — The image most often invoked by Americans on Thanksgiving Day is that of the Plymouth Pilgrims. Those early settlers celebrated their new friendship with the Wampanoag people and gave thanks for the Hand of Providence supplying provisions to bring them through a harsh New England winter.
While our November holiday commemorates that first Thanksgiving, our nation’s official celebration is rooted in more recent American history. It was 1863, and the country was at war with itself. These were some of the darkest days in the life of America. The devastatingly brutal battle at Gettysburg was still fresh in President Abraham Lincoln’s mind. In the midst of those hard times, Lincoln issued a Presidential Proclamation that would later establish our current Thanksgiving holiday. In that proclamation Lincoln said the previous year, despite the fresh scars of war, had been “filled with the blessings.”
This year, our country has once again faced difficult times. Throughout history our country has been blessed in what Lincoln called bounties “which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.” Because of difficult economic times, many families have and will endure hardships this holiday season, but it is during these times that we return to the basics to find reasons for gratitude: family and freedom. From neighbors and countless unsung community heroes who sacrifice to meet the needs of the less fortunate to the first responders and emergency personnel who put their lives on the line each day for our safety, even in difficult times, they give us reasons to be thankful.
Sadly, many will have empty places around the Thanksgiving table this year. For some these empty places are temporary, representing the more than 200,000 men and women in uniform who are fighting on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan. To these and others stationed around the world, we owe a debt of gratitude. For others, the empty place is permanent, representing those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. The sacrifices of our wounded and fallen heroes remain, forever, a testament to the price of freedom. Because of the sacrifices of those who have heard the call to serve their country and their families, we truly have many reasons to give thanks.
So despite these difficult times, and amidst great sacrifice, it is appropriate to consider the many reasons we can be grateful and, as Lincoln said, to “solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people” give “thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” May you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.
SEN. JAMES INHOFE represents Oklahoma.
Opinion
Despite hardships, we have many reasons to give thanks
- Opinion
-
-
OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
-
What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
-
What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
-
Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
-
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
- More Opinion Headlines
-
OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
