November 22, 2006

VETERANS, MEMBERS AND FRIENDS,

The National Board of Directors, the Officers, and the Staff (all volunteers, PLUS two great employees/associates!), wish for all members, and all Americans, the best of everything this Thanksgiving, 2006.

The tradition of Thanksgiving predates the Nation by 150 years, originating in Plymouth Colony, (MASS), 1621. Maybe because of that long-standing tradition, our Armed Services have always attempted to observe Thanksgiving Day to a greater extent and under more harrowing conditions than any other segment of the population.

Some of our members will recall Thanksgiving as "canned and frozen sausage patties and gravy" in far North Korea, long ago.  Some recall starving in PW camps scattered along the Yalu.  Some were on tank decks elsewhere on the Korean Peninsula, or in freezing tents or hasty shelters, some aboard ships underway in freezing waters.  Or later, and in better times after July 1953, some recall feasts in Quonsets and permanent billets—while keeping the peace for the past 53 years.

May all of you—and those dear to you—have a great and peaceful Thanksgiving; let's pray especially for our fighting men and women in harms way and for our veterans everywhere, remembering to be thankful that we live in the greatest nation in the world.

May God bless you, bless our troops engaging the enemy, and bless the United States of America.


National President, KWVA/US
Chairman of the Board

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.


Thanksgiving Day, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.

The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.

At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces throughout the generations. Today, many of these courageous men and women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in our prayers.

Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country, where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family, and faith, and may God continue to bless America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W BUSH