Happy Thanksgiving

One of my favorite US holidays is Thanks-
giving because everyone, other than the most curmud-
geonly of atheists celebrate it in the spirit it was intended. Most know the story of how the pilgrims in New England did undergo great hardship that first winter, the Native Indians helped them, and a great feast was celebrated and thanks were given to Almighty God. This day can be said to be the most ecumenical day of our civic year, in that it does not matter if one is Catholic, Jew, Protestant, Muslim, or other religion, it's celebrated in the original spirit - thanks are still given to the blessing bestowed on all of us and our nation. All Americans should know that contrary to the PC crowd which try and suppress expressions of religious celebration, the founding Fathers knew what kind of nation we ought to be, and G. Washington proclaimed this New England custom a national holiday - to wit:

Thanksgiving Proclamation

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

**

A blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to you and Yours.

Karen

Update:

Northampton Konkrete Kids 41, Catasauqua Rough Riders 7

I didn't get to see this one, but I was there in spirit. Hurray for the K-Kids! 6,000 plus were at the game in eastern Penna. In other words, a considerable portion of both towns. They've been playing for 85 years now, 80 games on Thanksgiving day itself. It's one of the oldest high school rivalries in the country. (We watch a lot of football on Thanksgiving too!)
.