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Today is the beginning of Hanukkah, eight of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar.
Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. It also reminds us of the great Jewish contributions that have been made to our military by extreme dedication and hard of work of many patriots over many years.
Since the birth of our country and even before, Jews have been part of our Armed Forces, making contributions to keep us safe and free. In George Washington’s Continental Army, there were Jewish patriots present, fighting for America’s freedom from the British. Lt. Col. Solomon Bush was one such famous Jew, decorated for bravery in fighting the British at the battle of Brandywine, where his brother Lewis was also gravely wounded.
Since then our military has always had Jewish troops fighting and supporting America in every armed conflict we’ve been in. Roughly 250,000 Jews fought for the United States in World War I, another 550,000 in World War II. Admiral Ben Moreel became the first Jewish sailor to reach the rank of 4 star admiral and founded the famous Navy Seabees.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
President George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Special wishes and thanks to those on active duty and away from their families.
Happy Thanksgiving, Kathy! *Hugs*
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Read: Ecclesiastes 5:13-20
In his book Daring To Draw Near, Dr. John White writes that several years earlier God had made it possible for him to acquire a lovely home with many luxuries. His feelings about the house fluctuated dramatically.
When he reminded himself that it was a gracious gift from God, he felt joy and thanksgiving. But when he would begin to compare it with those of his friends, he would feel proud because he had such a fine house and his joy would evaporate. His home would actually become a burden. All he could see were the many hedges and trees to care for and the endless odd jobs to do. White said, “While vanity clouds my eyes and burdens my heart, gratitude clears my vision and lightens my load.”
The writer of Ecclesiastes saw God at every turn in the enjoyment of material things. The power to eat the fruits of our labors and even the strength to receive and rejoice in them is from Him (5:18-19).
From beginning to end, all of life is a continuous gift-giving by God. We deserve nothing. He owes us nothing. Yet He gives us everything. If we remember this, we need not feel selfish or guilty. Whatever material blessings we have are a gift from our gracious God.
Gobble, gobble and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kathy and all!
Thank you to all who are serving or who have served in our military.
A Very Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving to you, Kathy- & to everyone at FR. And a Very Happy & Blessed Thanksgivvukah to our Jewish FRiends.
We have so much to be grateful for!
WELCOME TO THE
FR CANTEEN
Good morning, Everyone.
Good morning to our
AWESOME
Military, our Allies, and their families.
Thank you, Ma, for preparing the Canteen for today's activities.
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.
A Happy Hanukkah
And a safe and enjoyable day.
Remember, celery helps with the "I ate too much" feeling.
Remember, the Canteen is ALWAYS
OPEN
So, come on in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea;
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS
REMEMBER THEM
DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM
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And another Thanksgiving is upon us!
For me and The Bride, it’s the second one together, and what happens - Sarge gets sick. It’s Day Five of some godawful snootfull of sick, but finally on the downhill side of it.
Brainiac and Jailbait are headed off to a friend’s house for turkey, but The Bride and I are staying in today.
I’m just glad this year, neither of us are deployed...
Happy Day To All!
