We have much to thank George Washington for.

He agreed to take command of the Continental Army, an impossible task, leading untrained farmers and shop keepers against the greatest, most disciplined army of its time.

You know the rest of his story.

As President, Washington issued a proclamation in 1789, making Thursday, Nov. 26, 1789, a national day of thanks.

Washington declared that the necessity for such a day sprung from the Almighty’s care of Americans prior to the Revolution, assistance to them in achieving independence, and help in establishing the constitutional government. His proclamation read:

His proclamation read:

“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 thanksfor 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.”

We welcome your thoughts on what Thanksgiving means.

Please write us at JerryBellune@yahoo.com

What does Thanksgiving mean to you and your family in these divided times?