Wednesday, November 21, 2001

This Thanksgiving, we have a renewed 'spirit of America'

While the tragic events of this year have caused us all to think of what we are missing at this time, whether it is family members in the service, stock values, or our sense of security, there is a happier theme to this holiday season.

It seems that there is a renewed sense of what it is to be American. This is apparent by the constant presence of flags and strong patriotism. We can use this opportunity to enjoy the upcoming holiday for what it was intended to be about giving thanks.

I doubt seriously that the Pilgrims knew what a grand tradition they had started out of their sense of family and sharing. We are left with a holiday that is not political in nature, nor is it tainted by commercial interests. Thanksgiving is a time that we give thanks for the people and things that make us what we are.

This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for the things that we have that make us Americans. Let's be thankful for all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and vets that make our freedom possible, for without them we would truly be without.

Let's be thankful for our public safety officials who keep our community safe at all times and respond without hesitation to our emergencies. Let's be thankful for the basic freedoms that we enjoy each day that people in other parts of the world only dream of.

Finally, let's be thankful for the American Spirit. For over two centuries Americans have proven that they don't go down without a fight and won't tolerate a bully. This would not be possible without the support of Americans and their spirit brought from cultures across the globe.

Americans have endured a lot in the past few months, yet their spirit only grows. In spite of terror and war, we only become stronger. Our American spirit glows brighter than ever before; no person or nation can ever take that away from us; and we may thank God for it. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Nelson Mandela.

Josh Shelton

Peachtree City

Josh4507@bellsouth.net

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