“After a late harvest, it seems like Thanksgiving is upon us in record time.

 

As the holidays commence, it is an important time to be with family and friends, as well as an opportune time to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate in our community and our country.

 

It is also an important time to remember those who may not be gathering with us around the Thanksgiving table, but who are essential to the freedoms and the spirit of community we enjoy on this most American of holidays.

 

First and foremost, think of the men and women of our armed services, both past and present.

 

Last week at the Wall of Valor, 16 Southern Missouri veterans were added to one of our region’s most impressive tributes to the valor of our servicemen and servicewomen.  Many more of our veterans have left our Southern Missouri home to defend it around the globe over the course of many years, so be sure to remember all of our veterans.

 

At about the same time, 52 members of the 110th National Guard Unit who had been called to duty in Iraq returned to Cape Girardeau.  They were given a heroes’ welcome, but please also give thanks for them this Thursday.

 

Several young men in uniform have also returned to us in the past months, but their return was the cause of great sorrow, not joy.  They were casualties of this war.  They gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy, and we must be mindful of their sacrifices on Thanksgiving.

 

Think, too, of the farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly to ensure that our country is home to the world’s safest, most nutritious and affordable food supply.  We certainly could not have Thanksgiving without them.

 

Others are working this holiday – in hospitals, at fire and police stations, in the control towers of airports and on the highways of our nation.  Even on Thanksgiving, they will not rest. 

 

Many are without the comfort of family.  They might be eating their turkey, stuffing and
cranberry sauce at a table for one.  For some, a nutritious meal is more than they can afford.  They deserve our thoughts and prayers, as well as our charitable good works, this holiday season.

 

The essence of Thanksgiving is to celebrate our bounty.  We certainly have much for which we should be thankful.  For the many men and women who stand up for our freedoms, for the good Samaritans who are the helpful cores of our communities, and for the many Americans poised to respond to any emergency, national or personal, we should be extremely thankful.

 

I hope, for you and yours, this Thanksgiving marks a successful, healthy and prosperous year.  At our family meals this year, the best toasts should be reserved for the people right there with us.  Of course it is a blessing to be gathered together for the holiday, but it is an even greater comfort to know that these are the people who are here for you all year long.”