Thanksgiving proclamation from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell
By Lynn R. Mitchell | Monday, November 21st, 2011 | Virginia
THANKSGIVING DAY
WHEREAS, the first permanent English speaking settlement in the New World was established in Virginia at Jamestown in 1607, as Captain John Smith led a group of settlers across the Atlantic on a voyage that would entail much hardship over the coming years, including disease and starvation; and
WHEREAS, to show their appreciation for the colony’s success and to take stock and give thanks for their own gifts and blessings, and in spite of tremendous adversity, the settlers in Virginia found time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in America at Berkeley Plantation on December 4, 1619; and
WHEREAS, while reflecting upon the actions taken by the colonists at the first Thanksgiving, we also honor the Indian peoples, for without their presence, the survival of the colonists would have been ever more difficult; and
WHEREAS, American leaders and citizens have recognized a day of Thanksgiving since our first president, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789, stating “it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor”; and
WHEREAS, it is a Virginia tradition for our citizens to come together in unity on Thanksgiving Day and give thanks for the great level of serenity, harmony and abundance with which we, as citizens of a free nation, have been blessed; the rule of law by which we peaceably govern ourselves and by which our civil and religious liberties are guaranteed; and the brave servicemen and women of our armed forces who risk their lives to defend the freedoms and blessings we cherish;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize November 24, 2011 as THANKSGIVING DAYin our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens; and
FURTHERMORE, I encourage all Virginians to give thanks to our Creator for our plentiful blessings, including the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as well as the unwavering strength of our families and communities.
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About the author
Lynn R. Mitchell
As SWAC Girl (an acronym for Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County), Lynn has been writing in the Virginia political blogosphere since 2006. Active in area politics, she has coordinated campaigns and served in leadership for the past decade. The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is one of the most beautiful places to call home ... the Republican Party carries her beliefs.
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Comments
3 Responses to "Thanksgiving proclamation from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell"
Hmmm…I wonder if the format is based on avoiding a lawsuit?
They forgot, WHEREAS, turkeys are disagreeable, ill tempered, yet tasty birds …
While I appreciate the role of Virginia in the Governor’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, the actual events that occurred with regard to the First Engish speaking Thanksgiving in America are as follows: The good ship Margaret left Bristol, England on September 16, 1619 with specific instructions to have a Thanksgviing service once they landed at Berkeley, where they were to start a settlement. The 38 men led by Captain John Woodlief landed at Berkeley on December 4, 1619 and immedialtly held a prayerful Thanksgiving service, thanking Almighty God for their safe passage. The prayer noted their intention to have the sevice annually and perpetually, as instructed by England. While that service was interupted for some years, this year the Virginia Thankgiving Festival held their 50th anniversary of the re-enactment of that historic event.
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