Thanksgiving is a time to gather together with family and friends and give thanks for our many blessings.

We have much to be thankful for as Americans. We are blessed to live in the greatest nation on Earth, where everyone has the chance — through hard work and determination — to achieve the American Dream.

Our first Thanksgiving in 1621 was born out of an expression of gratefulness for a bountiful harvest. More than 150 years later, President Washington proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day as a time to rejoice in a young nation’s freedom and liberty. After falling out of favor, the holiday was reborn by President Lincoln in 1863 as a time to unite a country torn apart by civil war.

While much has changed during the centuries since the first Thanksgiving, the holiday is still rooted in the foundations of family, friends and freedom.

As Southwest Michigan families gather to enjoy turkey and honor other enduring traditions this week, I encourage everyone to recognize the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

In a world where we are constantly connected and seemingly always busy, Thanksgiving is a rare moment to cast aside the worries of our everyday life and relax with our loved ones.

It is an opportunity to gather with those closest to us, give thanks for the many blessings that have been bestowed on us and celebrate the most cherished thing we have: one another.

I hope we will all take time to warmly express our gratitude to our family and friends for their love and friendship throughout the year and to remember that we are all truly blessed to live in the land of the free.

I also encourage everyone to give thanks for the brave men and women who protect our liberty, especially those who are unable to be with their families as they serve our country.

Residents can watch my Senate floor statement about Thanksgiving on my website at www.SenatorJohnProos.com. Click on “Video” under the Media Center tab.

May God bless you and fill your hearts and homes with love. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.