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Happy Thanksgiving
In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed the first official "Day of Thanksgiving" of the United States of America. Thanksgiving was celebrated periodically by proclamation of the President in the next 70 years, when President Lincoln, prompted by a series editorials by Sarah Josepha Hale, proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving for the final Thursday of November in 1863.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth." Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln, October 3, 1863.
With these words began a traditional American Holiday, not finally formalized by Congress as the 4th Thursday in November until December 1941, but observed by tradition every year from 1863 forward.
On this day of Thanksgiving I give thanks for the following (in no particular order):
My wife and children, who are my compass star
My continued employment, which provides me the means to provide for those I love.
Jim's safe return from duty, no one other than Randy can perhaps appreciate how much that means to me.
The work and support of the Staff here at the Blitz, who make my job easier.
The continued safety of my friend's son, nearing the end of a tour in Afghanistan with 10th Mountain.
The friendship, support, and camaraderie of my internet friends at the websites I frequent.
A Happy, safe and healthy day of Thanksgiving to you all, even the non-Americans among us, who no doubt have similar days of Thanksgiving in their country.
Best wishes, warm regards, and good gaming to you all.
Paul aka steel god
Vice Commander
Blitz War Gaming
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