The FReeper Foxhole - Happy Thanksgiving - November 22nd, 2007

various

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


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U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

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Foxhole Thanksgiving 2007



A Brief History

The Virginia Colony

A collective prayer of thanksgiving was led by Captain John Woodlief in the Virginia Colony on December 4, 1619 near the current site of Berkeley Plantation, where celebrations are still held each year in November. Woodleif addressed the 38 men with: "We ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantation in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God."



The Pilgrims

The explorers who later came to be called the "Pilgrims" set apart a day to celebrate at Plymouth immediately after their first harvest, in 1621. At the time, this was not regarded as a Thanksgiving observance; harvest festivals were existing parts of English and Wampanoag tradition alike. Several American colonists have personal accounts of the 1621 feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts:

William Bradford, in Of Plymouth Plantation:

"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their house and dwelling against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned by true reports."

Edward Winslow, in Mourt's Relation:

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

The mention of ninety men in the Winslow account is of interest, as the Native People present would have outnumbered the 50 surviving English at that point. The two preceding passages are the only records of the event, but historians presume that both groups were exposed to unfamiliar forms of celebration.

The Pilgrims did not hold a true Thanksgiving until 1623, when it followed a drought, prayers for rain, and a subsequent rain shower. Irregular Thanksgivings continued after favorable events and days of fasting after unfavorable ones. In the Plymouth tradition, a thanksgiving day was a church observance, rather than a feast day.

Gradually, an annual Thanksgiving after the harvest developed in the mid-17th century. This did not occur on any set day or necessarily on the same day in different colonies in America.

During the 18th century individual colonies commonly observed days of thanksgiving throughout each year. We might not recognize a traditional Thanksgiving Day from that period, as it was not a day marked by plentiful food and drink as is today's custom, but rather a day set aside for prayer and fasting.

Later in the 1700's individual colonies would periodically designate a day of thanksgiving in honor of a military victory, an adoption of a state constitution or an exceptionally bountiful crop. Such a Thanksgiving Day celebration was held in December of 1777 by the colonies nationwide, commemorating the surrender of British General Burgoyne at Saratoga.



The Revolutionary War to Nationhood



During the American Revolutionary War the Continental Congress appointed one or more thanksgiving days each year, each time recommending to the executives of the various states the observance of these days in their states.

The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in 1777:

"FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of:

And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE:

That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance;

That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE:

That it may please him, to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation, as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion."



George Washington, leader of the revolutionary forces in the American Revolutionary War, proclaimed a Thanksgiving in December 1777 as a victory celebration honoring the defeat of the British at Saratoga.

Also, as President, on October 3rd 1789, George Washington stated the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America:

"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 encrease 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.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789."

---

FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[snippy_about_it]

We are thankful for our freedom
and for those who made and continue to make it possible.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanksgiving Prayer 2002
By Michelle Malkin

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we gather together to count our blessings, 381 years after the first Thanksgiving Day, we realize how little appreciation we have expressed for this thy bounty:

For sunbeams and sunsets and sun-kissed cheeks, for rainbows and raindrops and rain sticks, for mountain dew and prairie frost, for harvest moons and shooting stars, we give thee praise.

For Blueberry Hill and Blackberry Creek, for Apple Valley and Orange County, for Plum Borough and Peachtree City, for Pineapple Park and Coconut Grove, we give thee praise.

For coal miners and construction workers, for truckers and bakers, for mail sorters and short-order cooks, for ranch hands and stage hands, for accountants who keep honest books, for politicians who keep their promises, for stay-at-home moms and double-shift dads, we give thee praise.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, we thank you this day for "Proud to Be an American" and "These Colors Don't Run," for "Let Freedom Ring" and "Of Thee I Sing," for "Every Heart Beats True" and for "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."

For Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars, for Green Berets and Gold Stripes, for the 10th Mountain Division and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, for the KC-130 Crew and the 101st Airborne Division, for the soldiers and SEALS and special forces who made the ultimate sacrifice this year, and for all who continue to protect and to serve, we give thee praise.

For the Border Patrol and citizens on patrol, for the National Guard and Guardian Angels, for the USO and the VFW, we thank you, O God, our creator and redeemer.

For the Pentagon rebuilt and Ground Zero restored and the faith of a nation renewed, for "Semper Paratus" and "Non sibi sed patriae," for "Never forget" and "Never surrender," for freedom from fear and freedom to dream, for free minds and free markets, for freedom with responsibility, we give thee praise.

For the Song of Solomon and the Prayer of St. Francis, for "the Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer," for "without vision we perish," for Proverbs 28, for John 3:16, for "The Old Rugged Cross," for "The Solid Rock," and for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," we offer eternal thanks.

For "All men are created equal," for "Tear down this wall," for "Ask not what your country can do for you," for "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," for "I swear to uphold the laws and Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies foreign and domestic," we give thee praise.

For iron will, for steely resolve, for mettle tested and time-worn, for uncommon valor that never sleeps, for steady hands, sturdy legs, broad shoulders, and level heads, for stiff upper lips, for blood, sweat and tears, for conquering our fears, and for unbending courage in the face of the unknown, we give thee praise.

O Father, we come to thee on this national day to join with heart and voice all the people of our blessed land to honor and thank thee. We ask you, Lord, as our forefathers did in times of strife, "to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings: independence and peace."

For precious life itself in this great nation—under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all—we thank thee, O Father. Amen.

[snippy_about_it]

"FALL IN" to the FReeper Foxhole!



Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

If you want to be added to our occasional ping list, let us know.

[Northern Yankee]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies and gents. Flag-o-Gram.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Snippy. Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone at the Freeper Foxhole from Freeper E.G.C. of Southwest Oklahoma.

[SAMWolf]

While we are enjoying our Thanksgiving Dinners,
watching football, and relaxing
let's thank God for our troops who are defending our freedom
and keep them in prayer.
We thank them for all they do for us.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need.
I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Amen."

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine & others deployed in harm's way,
Prayer is the very best one.



Happy Thanksgiving to the whole Foxhole "Pack"

[snippy_about_it]

Looking good!

[snippy_about_it]

((HUGS)) back at ya!

[snippy_about_it]

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine & others deployed in harm's way, Prayer is the very best one.

AMEN!

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you for fallin’in and have a wonderful day today.

[E.G.C.]

Happt Thnksgiving to you too.

[RonDog]

See also THIS classic Thanksgiving Day thread:

President Bush is eating in my undisclosed location [Thanksgiving 2003]
(UPDATE: Undisclosed location is IRAQ!)

[Professional Engineer]

howdy ma’am

[Sparky1776]

Amen!

Thanks for the ping.

[Professional Engineer]

Wolves?? No, no, no, today is all about large juicy birds, and stuffing, and mached taters, and gravy, and...

[SAMWolf]

yep! Exactly what wolves eat. ;-)

[Soaring Feather]

I see one Spider Boy there! Wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving
From my house to yours!

[Soaring Feather]

The glory of New York State.

[HiJinx]

Happy Thanksgiving to all who visit here today, may our Lord bring abundance to your lives.

We keep our amazing armed forces in our hearts always, praying for their safety and well-being while serving in harm’s way.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. The wolves are watching over the dinner to make sure no DOGS get to the bird and fixins before we do!

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Miss Feather. Sam and me and the dogs are going to enjoy a full course meal today, how about you?

[Soaring Feather]

Going off to daughter’s home in the country. I am taking two Cheese Breads I baked and one huge Cabbage Salad. Just talked to her a few moments ago, she burned the pies last night and the bird is not in the oven yet! LOL

Small bird so it will not take long in one of those baking bags.

Enjoy your time!

Weather here is very mild, no snow in sight, okay by me.

[Professional Engineer]

LOL. Engineers too.

[Professional Engineer]

There ya’ go.

[Professional Engineer]

Hi miss Feather

[SAMWolf]

I remember that one!

[SAMWolf]

Thanks HiJinx.

[SAMWolf]

Old fart, overweight, balding vets too. :-)

[snippy_about_it]

Very pretty. We were surprised to get color here in SC. We didn't see this much in South Georgia so it's quite nice to have the color without the cold!

Fall at Sam and Snippy's Foxhole on Thanksgiving Day 2007

[Soaring Feather]

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, PE and family.

[snippy_about_it]

Mmmmm. Cheese bread. I’m jealous! Have a great day.

[Soaring Feather]

Oh this is a great bird nook!! It’s very pretty there. I see some rust colors from the oaks.

Very nice.

[Soaring Feather]

Oh Snippy, it is Paula Deen’s Cheesy, Onion Bread! It is so easy to make, and so sinfully rich. Glad I am taking it out of the house, I would weigh 600 pounds in no time. LOL

The recipe is on line at The FoodNet Work. The Lady and Sons page.

[Soaring Feather]

More glory of New York State.

[snippy_about_it]

This picture reminds of a drive I made once from my mother’s in Virginia to Ohio. I swear the colors were so intense that I had to keep myself from getting mesmerized and try to keep my eyes on the road!

I'm going to look up that recipe for the bread, thanks.

[Valin]

On This Day In history
11/22/07
In what can only be described as a massacre a band of evil ultra extremist rightwing fundamentalist Christian neo-con's forced a band of peaceloving indigenous Wampanoag's to join them in slaughtering and eating 1,000's of freerange turkeys.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. And then they gave thanks.

Good to see you.

[Professional Engineer]

but, were those poor defenseless turkeys used to bomb a shopping center from a helicopter?

[HiJinx]

bomb a shopping center from a helicopter

WKRP? Honest, I thoght they could fly!!

[PAR35]

Checking in with a Happy Thanksgiving to all the Foxhole crowd.

[Peanut Gallery]

That’s a good looking groups of boys, there!

(Wow, it is amazing how much they have grown in just a year.)

[w_over_w]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Wonderful tribute to our troops and our Father in heaven from whom all blessings and tidings come.

Hey counselor . . .

[Peanut Gallery]

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving Day. I am awaiting my knight in shining armor (okay, it’s really a white Saturn Outlook) so we can travel afar to partake of the traditional festivities.

Snippy, what a beautiful picture. If it’s okay with you, I would like to use it in my digital scrapbooking ventures. Could you please send me a full sized version of it?

[alfa6]

Happy Thanksgiving from to everybody at the Freeper Foxhole from the band of cutthroats at the alfa domicle.

Mrs alfa6 is getting the dressing ready to go, the bird is in the roaster, pies are made and the youngest daughter, soon to be an advanced college graduate, is busy making the deviled eggs. Mmmmmmmm

This is what I am thankfull for this year.

The Great Wall of the Kid's Project is almost over, we just have to put the fence up next spring. That should only take a weekend or two at the most.

I am getting ready to go take my nap in a little while as I have to work tonite:-( But at least I get almost triple time:-))

Best Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[snippy_about_it]

Dang it! I knew I’d forgot something, the deviled eggs!!

Sam’s got the bird in the oven, veggies are cooking. He’s says dinner should be in about an hour. Yippee.

That is a lovely job you did on your daughters yard.

[snippy_about_it]

sure thing. See freepmail.

[texas booster]

Has anyone heard from carlo3b since summer?

I miss his Thanksgiving threads. His website is also in need of updating.

Not sure if he had a religious difference with the board (Guiliani, Romney or Thompson), or if he is truly ill again.

Carlo Morlli, please drop by to say hello!

[snippy_about_it]

He did have some great cooking threads. I don’t know where he’s at. Hope he is well.

You have freepmail.