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Posted on 11/25/2004 7:11:01 AM PST by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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The Story of Thanksgiving and America’s Armed Forces. The first national annual Thanksgiving was proclaimed in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. Amid the wrenching strife of the Civil War, the tradition of a national holiday centered on home and family and peace was established.  From that first Civil War Thanksgiving to today, sometimes against overwhelming odds, Americans have always found a way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Troops "over there" forged new families with their comrades. Families back home endured fear and loneliness with grace and courage, in hope for the future. During peacetime, special efforts are made so that American armed forces stationed away from home have a traditional "family" celebration. The dispute over slavery, as well as rivalry between northern industrial and southern agrarian economies, divided the United States in the mid 1800s. Hostilities began in 1861, shortly after the election of Abraham Lincoln, an Illinois Republican, as President. Early Confederate successes on land were balanced by a Union naval blockade of southern ports. The war did not turn until 1863 when Lee was defeated at Gettysburg. It took another two years of bloody warfare to establish final Union victory. The cease-fire was signed in May of 1865, one month after Lincoln was assassinated. Before its conclusion, 3/4 of a million men had died and another 1/2 million were wounded. Three million men had served in the Union forces and 750,000 in the Confederate forces. No American family escaped this disastrous conflict.  During the Civil War, rations for the Union troops were ample. Some foods were not, however, available in the field. Even when full rations were provided, they were not nutritious or appetizing : a diet of hardtack, salt meat and no vegetables quickly leads to scurvy. The food needs of the armed forces were enormous. The scale of purchasing gave plentiful chances for swindling. The defects of the system lay primarily, however, in unsupervised or inexperienced contractors and supply officers. Canned foods, an economical and reliable source of nutrition, were first used during the Civil War. Condensed milk, invented by Gail Borden in 1856, was occasionally available as were desiccated (or in the language of the troops, "desecrated") fruits and vegetables. The first national annual Thanksgiving of 1863 was not officially observed by the United States military. Providing a special Thanksgiving dinner for the troops was beyond the capabilities of the Commissary. Individual units, however, particularly those with New England roots, did find their own unofficial ways to celebrate the day. Special dinners were organized, and toasts to absent family and friends were drunk.  Thanksgiving 1864 did not go similarly unrecognized. The Union League Club of New York City launched a public campaign to provide Thanksgiving dinner for Union soldiers and sailors : We desire that on the twenty-fourth day of November there shall be no soldier in the Army of the Potomac, the James, the Shenandoah, and no sailor in the North Atlantic Squadron who does not receive tangible evidence that those for whom he is periling his life, remember him... We ask primarily for donations of cooked poultry and other proper meats, as well as for mince pies, sausages and fruits... To those who are unable to send donations in kind, we appeal for generous contributions in money. The response was overwhelming. In 3 weeks, the Club collected over $57,000 towards the purchase of 146,586 pounds of poultry. Donations of an additional 225,000 pounds of poultry were received, along with an enormous quantity of other meat, cakes, gingerbread, pickles, apples, vegetables, cheese, and mince pies. Captain George F. Noyes reported from General Phil Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah The want of proper appliances compelled most of the men to broil or stew their turkeys, but everyone seemed fully satisfied, and appreciated the significance of this sympathetic thank-offering from the loyal North. One soldier said to me, "It isn’t the turkey, but the idea that we care for," and he thus struck the key-note of the whole festival. The United States became involved in the war between Cuban nationalists and colonial Spain when the Maine, a battleship sent to Havana to safeguard American interests, was blown up. The United States declared war on Spain in April of 1898. Within a few weeks, Spanish troops had been ejected from both Cuba and from the Spanish possession of Puerto Rico, gaining fame for Teddy Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders." Meanwhile, Admiral George Dewey and the American fleet in the Pacific destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila harbor, ending Spanish rule in the Philippines. Active hostilities ceased by October of 1898.  The Spanish-American War was America’s first military venture overseas. Problems of transport were overwhelming; inspection was totally inadequate. Food, especially the notorious "embalmed beef," was spoiled by heat and there were numerous cases of deadly food poisoning among the American troops in Cuba. The need for reform was obvious. A clearer understanding of nutrition led to more balanced rations. Ordering procedures were upgraded and bureaus combined for increased efficiency in transportation. The first school for military cooks was established. Better cooking utensils and mess gear were developed, field ranges replaced campfires. Improvements brought about by the Spanish-American War made future celebrations of military Thanksgivings possible. Large-scale war broke out in Europe in 1914, but America maintained its neutrality for several years. After six American ships were sunk by German submarines, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The first American troops reached France in June 1917. Over 2,000,000 American soldiers were sent to France before the end of the war in 1918 and nearly 2,000,000 more were in training at home for service abroad if needed. During the First World War, special efforts were needed to feed five distinct groups : American troops stationed in the U.S., American troops abroad, the U.S. civilian "home front," European allied troops, and European civilians. Herbert Hoover was given sweeping power to set prices and to take measures against hoarding and profiteering. Americans were urged to save on sugar, wheat, fat, and meat. Civilian Thanksgiving recipes reflected this patriotic austerity, as pumpkin pies were sweetened with molasses and served with sugarless ice cream.  There was an appreciable upgrading of the standard overseas ration. The "doughboy" diet now included a greater variety of food and a wider use of fresh foods, even in the field. The military’s ability to produce food and send it to the troops overseas was greatly improved. American troops celebrated Thanksgiving at camps in the United States and overseas during the First World War. Soldiers and sailors from every region of America, men who often had little in common, gathered together to celebrate a unifying and patriotic holiday, a day that was uniquely American. This unifying theme was emphasized by the military Thanksgiving menu, a menu that centered almost entirely on "traditional" New England food. After World War I, the country turned its back on Wilson’s "internationalism" and tried to avoid political entanglements in the wider world. The United States continued, however, to be involved in significant commercial interests overseas.  American entrepreneurs continued to pursue their business interests (on occasion, with military support) in the Pacific, and in Central and South America. The number of American military personnel, which had reached a peak of 2,396,000 in 1918, generally hovered around 137,000 throughout the more peaceful 1920s and 1930s. This smaller military force developed a special camaraderie during the 1920s and 1930s. A "family" feeling was promoted by military Thanksgiving celebrations with abundant food and festive printed souvenir menus.
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Read: Romans 1:18-22
Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. —Hebrews 13:15
Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2
Throughout history, many cultures have set aside a time for expressing their thankfulness. In the US, Thanksgiving Day originated with the pilgrims. In the midst of extreme hardship, loss of loved ones, and meager supplies, they still believed they were blessed. They chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with Native Americans who had helped them survive.
We know we've lost the spirit of that original celebration when we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been "spoiled" by bad weather, disappointing food, or a bad cold. It's we who are spoiled—spoiled by the very blessings that should make every day a day of thanksgiving, whatever our circumstances.
Billy Graham wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible." He then quoted Romans 1:21, one of the Bible's indictments against rebellious humanity. Then Dr. Graham added, "Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
Which condition describes you? —Joanie Yoder
A US soldier shops at the PX, the name given to such stores on US bases across the world, the US military base near the rebel stronghold of Ramadi. 'We go where you go,' says the slogan on the store in the base. The shop is a little corner of America that helps war-weary US soldiers forgot for a moment that they are in the middle of the Iraq conflict.
Morning, Mayor. Thank You for the beautiful message this morning.
Not 100%? This is an outrage!
and 89% offer gravy
Sacrelige!
Morning folks. Happy Thanksgiving.
Msdrby and I are off to consume mass quantities with family.
Mmmm, turkey...
Happy Thanksgiving aomagrat.
Mornin Feather!
We all have so much to be Thankful for.
John Stearns was there at the first Thanksgiving.
He was a carpenter and our families first to reach
America, we have been here a long time..
Thanks Mayor. It's so saddening to see Thanksgiving history being PC'd in some of our schools.
Morning Aeronaut, Happy Thanksgiving
Morning PE.
You and the family getting the big spread ready?
Guess who ends up in the 2% and 11% crowd? ;-)
A simple carpenter was our Lord
a gentle man with a mighty word.
I give thanks to him for all
my family, my home, my FRiends, my all.
Happy Thanksgiving to all in the Foxhole! Falling in before the turkey gets done. :)
I hope everyone has a safe, blessed and happy Thanksgiving day.
Good morning, Miss Feather!
Thanksgiving and every Christian Holiday out there.
American History itself is no longer taught..
I forgot.
I have been a carpenter for 26+ years
Hey Sam, best wishes!
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