The Post asked readers what the United States and its citizens should be thankful for this year. Here are your responses:
A land that believes in ‘we the people’
First, at the risk of sounding facetious, we should be thankful for the end of an 18-month national election. The results give new generations of Americans, equipped with fresh paradigms, the challenge, opportunity and responsibility to form a more perfect union within the glow of the Constitution.
We must be grateful to God and past generations who stated the purpose of our republic when they said, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Second, we should be thankful for the four freedoms identified by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his State of the Union Address on Jan. 6, 1941. The United States was in an economic depression and on the brink of World War II. Then as now, we should be thankful for the freedom of speech and expression, the freedom of every person to worship God in his or her own way, the freedom from want relative to poor third world nations, and the freedom from the fear of foreign aggression.
We must remember and be thankful that the people of the United States live in the land of the free and the home of the brave and the only thing to be feared is fear itself.
ó Reginald W. Brown
Salisbury
Thanks for military, veterans and V.A.
On this Thanksgiving Day I give thanks for the men and women who are serving our country in the military, and the veterans who have done their duty protecting our country in the past.
These are tough times for our veterans. They fought the good fight for our country but now must fight again for benefits that were promised to them by the government they served. So many veterans in our area are worried today. We all are facing the current economic crisis, but many veterans also must deal with the loss of healthcare benefits.
Some administrative bureaucrats have created bogus studies that say outsourcing veterans’ care to already overcrowded local hospitals is best. They have made veterans’ healthcare a political issue, a Red vs. Blue issue, when this should be a nonpartisan Red, White, and Blue issue.
This scheme will limit some veterans’ care. Our veterans deserve the specialized care they need and have earned, delivered at a Veterans Hospital. Ask a veteran if closing their emergency room and hospital is a good idea. The answer you will get is a resounding NO!
I ask everyone to keep the veterans in their prayers. I also encourage you to write and call our representatives in Congress to tell them how much we appreciate the people who have served our country, and that we feel that our government should honor the promises made to veterans and keep the hospital part of the Salisbury V.A. Medical Center open.
ó David Brown
Salisbury
Editor’s note: Brown is an Army veteran.Others envy our democracy
I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am also thankful for my fellow brothers and sisters past, present and future who are serving or will serve in various locations in the world, especially the war zone.
Americans should be thankful for freedom of religion and freedom of speech. A lot of countries are not allowed the privileges we are allowed as Americans. Americans should be thankful for the democracy of America, as other countries are not as lucky as us.
Most importantly, Americans should be thankful for each other, whether you get along with them or not. Many people do not have anyone. Be thankful for what you have, as others are not as blessed.
ó James T. Sloan
Hawaii
Editor’s note: Sloan, who is from Rowan County, is a U.S. Navy yeoman petty officer second class, serving the U.S. Pacific Command. Remember people behind the scenes
The “full” may punt for 50 yards,
The “half” may buck for five;
The “quarter’s” the brains of every gain
And keeps the team alive;
But when the tiers are a-rock with cheers
And the air’s like a nip of wine.
Here’s a toast to those souls
Who open those holes
Down in the muck of the line.
Published in the Salisbury Post years ago, this anonymously written limerick of course refers to unsung lineman in that great sport of football.
The article, attached to a picture of Salisbury High School’s 1980 offensive linemen, of which our son was a team member, is propped beside my computer, serving two purposes: One as a trip down memory lane (all seniors are guilty of this), and two, as a reminder of unsung heroes in this world.
In addition to God, country, family and uncounted blessings, I am also thankful for behind-the-scene people who open up the proverbial and quite possibly “mucky” holes. Although not easily recognizable, they surround us ó in schools, churches, work places, neighborhoods.
I believe the “unsung” walk to the beat of a different drummer. Although their preference is not the limelight, they gain compensation from their achievements.
Helen Keller said, “The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”
In a year of turmoil, confusion, disorder, our blessings are abundant. Look for them in unexpected places ó perhaps behind the scene?
ó Edith Julian
Salisbury
Share with others, double blessings
I believe that we can be thankful that we are still a free nation. Sure, some of us, because of the economy, have to tighten our belts, but is that not in itself a blessing for some? If we give that which would be in excess for ourselves to others, then we shall accomplish double.
We should seek out those that are truly in need and give, not through organizational distribution, for some are left out because of selfish distributors. If we give from our hearts, then God’s blessings shall be upon us. Power belongs to God.
God bless and keep you all always.
ó Juanita L. Dawkins
Salisbury
The things that give life meaning
I will keep this short and sweet. Americans should be thankful for God, family and friends. I am thankful for these three, in the order listed, this year and every year. Without them, life is meaningless. Happy Thanksgiving!
ó Jean Krasinski Allen
Salisbury
Even in downturn, there are blessings
With all the news about foreclosures, unemployment and the downfall of the economy, our lists of things to be thankful might decline.
We should all give thought to the following: if we are warm, if we are without pain, feel safe in our communities, if we have a place to sleep, food to eat, even water to drink, we should be thankful.
If we have or have had parents who taught us well, if we have children who love us in spite of our human failures, we have reason to be thankful.
I’m thankful for good health, a fulfilling career in nursing, wonderful friends, a good family and American freedom. Every day to be able to see the sunshine, clouds, moon and stars and all the beauty of the earth is reason to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
óRachel C. Boger
SalisburyFriends and family to lean on
I’m thankful for my health and for my family. Just like a lot of other people in this and adjoining counties who have lost their jobs either to layoffs or closings, we should all be thankful that we have friends and family to lean on.
During these hard times, look to God to get you through it. It works.
ó Billy Evans
Rockwell
A roof overhead,
good job, family
With these hard economic times, we are facing, I know it’s hard for a lot of people to be thankful for anything. Me, I am very thankful for a roof over my head. I am thankful to be working in a field of my choice, not being forced into taking any job just to get by. I am very thankful for our young men and women fighting for our country.
I am very thankful for my loving husband, who puts up with me. My daughter in college. But most of all, I am very, very thankful to live in the best country in the world!
Oh, I’m also happy to see gas down to $1.71 a gallon today!
WaaaaaaaHoooooooooooo!
ó Debra Owens-Warren
SalisburyFreedom to worship in my chosen way
I’m thankful for a free nation where I can openly worship my God, who sent his sinless son to die on a cross to take the place for my sins óall done for me and all who will accept this pardon.
I’m thankful for each breath and each blink of my eye ó life that God gives me. I’m thankful for my husband and other family members who love and support me unconditionally.
I’m thankful for a job that I am allowed to do and all the wonderful folks I work with daily.
If you feel you have nothing to be thankful for, just look around you. There is always someone close by with greater difficulties than you,. Hopefully you can count your blessings too.
ó Lana Moore
Rockwell