The weather is cooling down
(which means it’s in the 80s here in Las Vegas), and Americans everywhere are
making plans for Thanksgiving — deciding what size turkey to buy and where to
get Mom’s special table arrangement (may I recommend English Garden Florists?) —
all in preparation to give thanks for our blessings of family and friends and,
even in these challenging times, a good life. However, in our rush to the fourth
Thursday of November, we should not forget two important reasons to be thankful.
Election Day
Tuesday, November 4, is
Election Day. This is a day when all U. S. citizens, regardless of their
political beliefs, have the opportunity to exercise their right to choose those
who will represent us at home and abroad. Bequeathed to us by men and women who
have fought and died for this opportunity, it is a profound privilege. Our
democratic government depends upon this informed and active participation of its
citizens. Vote early, vote absentee, vote in person on Election Day — whatever
your schedule permits. Just vote!
Veteran’s Day
Veteran’s Day (originally
called Armistice Day) is observed on November 11. This is the day we
reserve to honor those who gave their all to give us our freedoms, including the
right to determine our leaders through the ballot.
The first day of remembrance
came after the end of World War I (1914–1918) when President Woodrow Wilson
proclaimed the first Armistice Day for November 11, 1919, with these words:
To us in
America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in
the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for
the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of
the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice
in the councils of the nations…
In 1954, after World War II
and the Korean Conflict, the name was changed to Veteran’s Day, and designated
as a day of celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love
of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
So as you sit around the
family table this Thanksgiving, add a special thanks for the veterans, past and
present, to your family tradition. Their sacrifices have made it possible for us
to enjoy this special day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“The First Thanksgiving”
by Jean Louis Gerome Ferris
