Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving as we all pause to reflect on the blessings we have had over the past year.

A few quotes to reflect upon on this day:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” William Shakespeare

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all the other virtues.” Cicero

“If we cannot help the many who are poor, we cannot save the few who are rich,” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

As a teenager and young man, I lived through the changes of the ’60’s and ’70’s – Civil Rights movement, Vietnam and Watergate especially.

For the entire decade of the 1970’s, I served on active duty in the U.S. Navy, seven of those years overseas. Viewing America from afar and listening to the views and opinions of citizens of foreign countries about what was going on at home provided a perspective I have always appreciated.

America renews itself periodically with change. I hope, in the New Year, we can see such a renewal again.

Last year we elected Donald Trump as President. To say he has been a huge disappointment to me is an understatement. Maybe he will get the idea he is supposed to lead the country instead of attempting to cause a stir on Twitter.

To those of you who still support him, good luck to you. Through our first 44 presidents, we have elected some liars, lemons and losers, but we never elected a tyrant. I hope I can still say that when 45 is done.

Donald Trump may be still able to advance some initiatives in Washington if he gets his act together, although I hesitate to expect much.

Congress, when it reconvenes in January, will go about doing what it does best – attempting to get itself re-elected instead of doing the business of the people.

Thanksgiving is our one holiday that is American alone. The Pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving feast to celebrate the first successful harvest in Plymouth Colony.

Let us hope the coming year brings a successful harvest of new initiatives in Washington to get the country back on track.