Remember to Give Thanks
No nation is without its challenges, and that is especially true for the United States. While we continue the work of solving those challenges, it is important to remember and reflect on the many blessings we share—and may even take for granted. This Thanksgiving, when you join your friends and families, I encourage you to consider where, and to whom, you can give thanks in your community.
Our nation is one of law and order, a notion enshrined in the Constitution and protected by brave, hardworking men and women throughout the country. Law enforcement ensures our communities remain safe and serves as a resource for people when needed; an assurance many other nations do not have the benefit of. While some will join their families at the dinner table this week, many will be on duty and working for the safety of us and our neighbors. It is no secret that families in Central Washington have been devastated by the ongoing plague of fentanyl, but our local law enforcement is helping to lead the effort in preventing further tragedy in our communities by innovating on the frontlines of this crisis. Give thanks to our law enforcement.
In the spirit of the famous holiday meal, it is important to remember that in the United States, only two percent of us workday in and day out, rain or shine, to feed the country. Farmers are the backbone of our food supply and are owed a great deal of thanks for what they bring to the table. A lot of what you will consume this week, from potatoes to the grapes in your wine, were grown right here in Central Washington; and while that makes for a delicious thanksgiving meal, it also boosts our local economies and supply chains that help bring products from the field to the table. Give thanks to our farmers.
While it is the Constitutional duty of the federal government to “provide for the common defense,” it is our friends and families that make the sacrifices that come with executing that duty. Central Washington is home to thousands of active-duty military personnel and veterans, and for many of them, their commitment to our national security keeps them away from their families during the holidays. While they continue to protect our freedom and liberty, give thanks to them and all they continue to give.
Through our friends, families, and faith we are grateful for both the blessings we have, and the lessons learned from the challenges we face. I often remind myself that while it is easy to identify where we can improve, it is crucial to reflect on what we have and who to thank for it. I encourage you this Thanksgiving to do just that; and join me in expressing sincere gratitude to those around us that ultimately, one-by-one, make us thankful to be an American.