Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thank you, my friends. Happy Thanksgiving.


I cannot imagine eating Thanksgiving dinner in a mess hall.
In a foreign country.
In a hostile foreign country.
Away from family.
Away from friends.
Away from all I hold dear.

I cannot imagine wondering whether this meal might be my last.
Or the buddy sitting next to me won't always be with me.
I cannot imagine going through what our soldiers go through every day.
But, especially "this" day.
When we should all give thanks.

But, they barely have the time to eat.
Before they're back on the line.
Back protecting us.
We who debate their role.
Some of us who even mock their cause.
This isn't about war.
This is about those who fight it.
And live through it.
In a place we forget.
On a day we should not.

I am very lucky to have this day with my family.
My creature comforts are secure precisely because theirs are not.
It's not fair.
It's not right.
It just is.

They are due our thanks every day.
Our prayers all days.
But they are due both, especially this day.
It's amazing to me that those paid so little, give so much.
Never complaining.
Always giving.
So that we can sit down in peace.
While they stand guard, in war.

Thank you, my friends.
And, Happy Thanksgiving.

-Neil Cavuto, Cavuto on Business, FoxNews

Painting by Norman Rockwell, 1945

12 comments:

Charles M. Grist: said...

Just noticed that we both admire Norman Rockwell - used the same picture today! Happy Thanksgiving and keep doing the great things you do!
SFC Chuck Grist
www.AmericanRanger.blogspot.com
www.TheCobraTeam.com

Unknown said...

Lovely sentiment.

Happy Thanksgiving Flag!

Mike Pittman said...

Happy Thanksgiving, FG! You are the best!

VW

K-Dubyah said...

Amen to that...

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

I don't know if there has ever been a painter that has captured the essence of America more than Norman Rockwell. Well, what America once was.

Buck said...

I hope your Thanksgiving was warm, peaceful, and full of good things for you and yours, Cynthia. And thank you oh-so-much for all the things you do for our folks in uniform. MOST appreciated.

Thanks for posting Cavuto's piece. I admire the man and his support for our troops. One can tell he absolutely, positively means what he says. No "lip service" here.

Flag Gazer said...

So true, JB...

Sarge Charlie said...

Norman Rockwell is my hero, a real American. The poem reminded me of all the times I had Thanksgiving in the mess hall. Thank you for what you do for our soldiers. Now I am going to visit SFC Chuck Grist, I think we may have some stuff in common.

Wade Huntsinger said...

Well said Happy holidays my fine Western Friend.

Unknown said...

Very nice post!

~AirmanMom returning to her blog...

Sarge Charlie said...

I used your comment in my new post, you are so right on, Americans will die if they do not learn who their enemy is.....