True Thankfulness

Published on:

November 25, 2024

Chairman's Monday Message

Greetings, everyone! I just wanted to take the opportunity to wish y’all a very Happy Thanksgiving. This is a wonderful time for families and friends to gather and give thanks for the blessings that we have. Sadly, it is a time when some families will miss loved ones, like the families of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray. I humbly ask that families such as theirs, along with the families who have lost loved ones in service to our nation, can find some quantum of solace in this time. As well, having served in our military, I know what it is like to miss Thanksgiving with your family, especially with children.

I would also make a humble plea: find a veteran in your community who may not have immediate family. Please, invite them into your home for a meal, or at least drop by and ensure that they are not alone, and deliver them a home-cooked meal. Unfortunately, this is a time when suicides among our veterans and service-members increases. They should never seek a permanent solution for a temporary problem.

It is quite disconcerting that there are individuals advocating the cancellation of Thanksgiving because of the 2024 election. If there is one thing we should remember, it is the spirit of Thanksgiving and how we are all Americans and should want the best for our Republic, based upon its rule of law. Thanksgiving is a great time to gather, eat well, and watch football, especially college rivalry week. Ya know, when a football team loses a game they don’t blame the other team — maybe some blame may be with the referees — but the coaching staff reviews the game tape and assesses what needs to be improved or changed, and they make the adjustments. The losing team does not take the position that they will cancel all future games.

I will be frying a few turkeys this week, one for friends who have never had fried turkey. This will be our youngest grandson’s first Thanksgiving at home. Last year, little Levi Allen was still in the hospital gaining strength and weight since he was born at 29 weeks at 3lbs 2oz. I am looking forward to him and Jaxton chomping down on PaPop’s famous fried turkey. God gave us a miracle and we give thanks.

Ponder why you are thankful, and know that there is someone making a sacrifice for you to have that special time with family and friends.

God’s blessings . . . Steadfast and Loyal.