Free Republic

From our nation’s inception, one of the defining characteristics of the American spirit has been an attitude of gratitude. Leaders throughout our country's history have encouraged and inculcated it.Just a brief moment of reflection cannot help but yield a level of humility that recognizes even what Americans are “owed” in the end is rooted in many gifts. How did we come by the talents, abilities and opportunities that have allowed us to accomplish our dreams, to provide for our families, to learn, live, grow up in a land that is free? It is all grace. Of course, the natural follow-on...

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. A day of family gatherings, feasting, football and the last respite before the start of the Christmas shopping season. The focus is on spending time together rather than giving gifts and attending cocktail parties. Thanksgiving began in 1621, when the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag Indians to join them in celebration of the fall harvest. The Indians traveled for several days, created their own camp, and stayed with the Pilgrims for three days of feasting and celebration. This first Thanksgiving sounds similar to our tradition of family members invading a relative's home and...

Firefighters put out fire, return with turkey dinner The firehouse special By Eva Wolchover Saturday, November 29, 2008 - Updated 16h ago A Brighton family whose turkey dinner went up in flames Thursday morning learned the true meaning of Thanksgiving when the big-hearted jakes who put out their kitchen fire returned to their home with a scrumptuous holiday meal. “What do you say to someone who saves your life and then brings you dinner?” asked Alyson Georgopoulos, 23, who was visiting her parents at their Faneuil Gardens apartment in Brighton when the oven caught fire, charring the turkey and much...