By Dorothy Moon, IDGOP Chairwoman
November 23, 2023
| 160 years ago, as our country was embroiled in a tragic and bloody civil war, President Abraham Lincoln called upon Americans to give thanks to God for the blessings of liberty they yet enjoyed. He invited his fellow citizens to “…observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” Setting aside a day for the purpose of giving thanks was already an American tradition. The Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621, and our first President George Washington proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving in 1789. We are incredibly privileged to carry on that tradition today. There is perhaps nothing as quintessentially American than a national holiday devoted toward giving thanks and celebrating our families. Though many holidays contain an element of gratitude — we are thankful for our freedom on Independence Day, thankful to our military personnel on Veterans Day, thankful to God at Christmastime — Thanksgiving Day is a unique opportunity to express our gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy in this country. One reason that America became great in the first place was because our ancestors cultivated a spirit of gratitude from the beginning. They were proud to be Americans, but humble enough to recognize the manifest blessings our country has experienced in its long and storied history. Idahoans have much to be thankful for today. We are thankful for our families, our friends, and our communities. Their love and support make our mission possible and our lives worth living. We are thankful for those in the trenches. Everyone from block captains and precinct committeemen to the officers of the Idaho Republican Party are volunteers, giving freely of their precious time to ensure that Idaho remains a place where conservative principles and traditional values are honored and protected. We are thankful for the upcoming Presidential Caucus, which not only gives Idahoans a voice in the future of our country, but presents a wonderful opportunity to get to know your neighbors and share the values that motivate you to be involved. We are thankful for so many great lawmakers who have devoted their own time and energy toward pursuing Republican values in the Capitol. Most of all, we are thankful for the blessings of a loving God who has placed us in this time and place to do good. We will continue to fight the good fight to preserve faith, family, and freedom in Idaho and in America. It is in that spirit that we wish all of you the happiest Thanksgiving with your family and friends. God bless America, God bless Idaho, and God bless you all. |
