Let Us Be Thankful
Thursday, November 23, 2005 is a special holiday in the US. On that day we celebrate a traditional holiday that began with a proclamation from George Washington while he held office as the first President of the United States of America. Many in America associate the holiday with the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the settling of lands that came to be Massachusetts. However, Washington had other thoughts in mind when he issued the proclamation.
Washington had completed eight-and-half-years of war with intentions of going back to being a farmer and landed gentleman. When he was elected president, he agreed to serve willingly because he felt duty bound and recognized that there was a specific purpose for his selection. Contrary to most powerful people’s basic motivations, Washington had relinquished power and resigned his commission as the Commander-in-Chief of the colonial forces at the end of the Revolutionary War.
At that time, many in the US wanted to establish a monarchy with Washington as the first king. Washington rejected this idea with truculence. He chastised those that had suggested the idea.
Additionally, Washington condemned some of his own officers that had the idea of committing a coup that would place the military in charge of the new nation. Washington informed these officers that he would ostracize them from his circle of friends, and would incur his opposition, including military opposition.
So, Washington accepted the election results and left the comforts of his Virginia home with a certain sadness about not being able to remain a farmer, and yet, with a certain sense of duty and awe for the task he had accepted. As he rode from Virginia to the new nation’s capital in New York he was greeted with praise and acclamation. He could have been king. He was loved by many, he could have asked for anything, but he viewed the tasks ahead of him as a duty and a cross to be born.
As Washington reflected on his experiences and the direction that this new nation was headed, he felt the need to express the awe in his heart. He issued a proclamation calling for a day of prayerful thanksgiving for the many blessings, sacrifices and tribulations that gave birth to a new nation that had thrown off the cloak of all sorts of tyranny.
Washington was mindful of the sacrifices of the troops that empowered this new nation because for over eight years of war he had been in the battlefields with his troops. During several of those battles he was in front of his troops, completely exposed to the volleys of the British. He could be seen urging a desperate campaign for the fundamental rights that would empower everyone in the colonies to be active participants in the direction of a new nation and their own individual lives.
Washington called the United States of America the “experiment” because he knew that the Constitution under which he served as president was a ground-breaking effort that threw off the tyranny of religious, imperial and elite groups that had ruled Europe and the European colonies throughout the development of Western Civilization. He was thankful and mindful of the foundations of the experiment. Although these foundations came from religious and secular sources, he understood that it would take great effort and difficulty for this new nation to emerge as a beacon of freedom—freedom for the individual, family, community, state and nation—to all.
The “experiment” has not always been successful. There are episodes that have led us astray from the path. We have involved ourselves in actions and events that would not meet the standards of duty, honor and service that were embodied in Washington. But, despite our failures and challenges, the experiment has survived almost 217 years. We have been prosperous in a large way. We have raised the standard of living for a vast majority of our people. Our churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are open for people to worship in the manner to which they are called. The electoral process is alive and well, despite some issues and problems we still have to conquer. Our government faces scrutiny everyday, even though many within the government would wish it otherwise. Washington’s hopes are still with us and we have a lot for which we should be thankful.
Our families can gather this Thursday in love, hope and remembrance. We can pray to the manner of our choice. We can gather without secret police following our every move. We can associate with our family members without worry for those that are in exile for their religious or political views. We can extend our friendship and love to others without opposition from the government. We are free to love one another.
Yes, it is a day of thanksgiving. We should be thankful. So, I wish all of you reading this a Happy Thanksgiving with the hopes that your thoughts will, even for a moment, be thankful for the many blessings of family, community and nation rather than the bounty on the table. Then go eat to your heart's content and your abdomen's distention. God bless!
November 23, 2005
Washington had completed eight-and-half-years of war with intentions of going back to being a farmer and landed gentleman. When he was elected president, he agreed to serve willingly because he felt duty bound and recognized that there was a specific purpose for his selection. Contrary to most powerful people’s basic motivations, Washington had relinquished power and resigned his commission as the Commander-in-Chief of the colonial forces at the end of the Revolutionary War.
At that time, many in the US wanted to establish a monarchy with Washington as the first king. Washington rejected this idea with truculence. He chastised those that had suggested the idea.
Additionally, Washington condemned some of his own officers that had the idea of committing a coup that would place the military in charge of the new nation. Washington informed these officers that he would ostracize them from his circle of friends, and would incur his opposition, including military opposition.
So, Washington accepted the election results and left the comforts of his Virginia home with a certain sadness about not being able to remain a farmer, and yet, with a certain sense of duty and awe for the task he had accepted. As he rode from Virginia to the new nation’s capital in New York he was greeted with praise and acclamation. He could have been king. He was loved by many, he could have asked for anything, but he viewed the tasks ahead of him as a duty and a cross to be born.
As Washington reflected on his experiences and the direction that this new nation was headed, he felt the need to express the awe in his heart. He issued a proclamation calling for a day of prayerful thanksgiving for the many blessings, sacrifices and tribulations that gave birth to a new nation that had thrown off the cloak of all sorts of tyranny.
Washington was mindful of the sacrifices of the troops that empowered this new nation because for over eight years of war he had been in the battlefields with his troops. During several of those battles he was in front of his troops, completely exposed to the volleys of the British. He could be seen urging a desperate campaign for the fundamental rights that would empower everyone in the colonies to be active participants in the direction of a new nation and their own individual lives.
Washington called the United States of America the “experiment” because he knew that the Constitution under which he served as president was a ground-breaking effort that threw off the tyranny of religious, imperial and elite groups that had ruled Europe and the European colonies throughout the development of Western Civilization. He was thankful and mindful of the foundations of the experiment. Although these foundations came from religious and secular sources, he understood that it would take great effort and difficulty for this new nation to emerge as a beacon of freedom—freedom for the individual, family, community, state and nation—to all.
The “experiment” has not always been successful. There are episodes that have led us astray from the path. We have involved ourselves in actions and events that would not meet the standards of duty, honor and service that were embodied in Washington. But, despite our failures and challenges, the experiment has survived almost 217 years. We have been prosperous in a large way. We have raised the standard of living for a vast majority of our people. Our churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are open for people to worship in the manner to which they are called. The electoral process is alive and well, despite some issues and problems we still have to conquer. Our government faces scrutiny everyday, even though many within the government would wish it otherwise. Washington’s hopes are still with us and we have a lot for which we should be thankful.
Our families can gather this Thursday in love, hope and remembrance. We can pray to the manner of our choice. We can gather without secret police following our every move. We can associate with our family members without worry for those that are in exile for their religious or political views. We can extend our friendship and love to others without opposition from the government. We are free to love one another.
Yes, it is a day of thanksgiving. We should be thankful. So, I wish all of you reading this a Happy Thanksgiving with the hopes that your thoughts will, even for a moment, be thankful for the many blessings of family, community and nation rather than the bounty on the table. Then go eat to your heart's content and your abdomen's distention. God bless!
November 23, 2005
posted by Jim Downey at 5:49 PM
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