From the Chairman: A Thanksgiving Message
President Eisenhower used the following words in his 1954 Thanksgiving Proclamation:
“Early in our history the Pilgrim fathers inaugurated the custom of dedicating one day at harvest time to rendering thanks to Almighty God for the bounties of the soil and for His mercies throughout the year. At this autumnal season tradition suggests and our hearts require that we follow that hallowed custom and bow in reverent thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us individually and as a Nation.
We are grateful that our beloved country, settled by those forebears in their quest for religious freedom, remains free and strong, and that each of us can worship God in his own way, according to the dictates of his conscience.
We are grateful for the innumerable daily manifestations of Divine goodness in affairs both public and private, for equal opportunities for all to labor and to serve, and for the continuance of those homely joys and satisfactions which enrich our lives.
With gratitude in our hearts for all our blessings, may we be ever mindful of the obligations inherent in our strength, and may we rededicate ourselves to unselfish striving for the common betterment of mankind.”
As I sit with my family this Thanksgiving, I am grateful that we still live in the greatest nation on earth. That my four children still have the hope given to us by our Founding Fathers through our Constitution.
Throughout the course of our nation’s history, so many have fought and died to protect our rights. We cannot thank them enough.
It is incumbent upon us to continue to work in the political arena to elect women and men who share our commitment to securing our liberty for years to come.
I want to thank our candidates in the 8th District this fall — Ed Gillespie, Micah Edmond and John Vihstadt. Putting your name on the ballot and waging a campaign takes real sacrifice.
Ed, Micah and John made us proud. John’s win in deep blue Arlington was truly historic — and resulted in the Arlington County Board shelving a half-billion dollar boondoggle project. For that, all taxpayers in Arlington should truly be grateful.
I want to thank so many of you who volunteered your time and efforts to knock on doors, make phone calls, send emails and Facebook messages to help our candidates this year. Campaigns are a team sport and we appreciate volunteers like you who give so generously of your time.
As you gather with family and friends today, I pray that each of you has a day of rest, of remembrance, and of rejoicing.
God bless you.
Mark Kelly
Chairman