Hello Westfield, and especially Ward 3. A question to challenge your memory of our history….Who made Thanksgiving a national holiday and why? While we in Massachusetts have our personal version; it was made a holiday by President Abraham Lincoln. It was to have a daylong break from the Civil War; when families were to get away from the death and destruction, fears and hurt that the War had created.
I bring this to your attention because it seems like we are just about in the same situation, so remember to say thank you for what we have, and can do. Appreciate others in your life, from the grocery clerks, to the police officers as they drive by. Say hi to a vet. For one holiday, no anger and upset at the dinner table, before or after. These too are the times to try men’s souls. Be proud that Massachusetts set the example 220 years prior of a day of Thanksgiving for what we have and all those who helped us to survive and thrive. This is one of the few holidays that is not a commercialized one; so we can do things to say thank you, without having to go out and buy something, other than the food to make the occasion wonderful. And, being appreciated for being you by friend and family. OK, I am getting mushy… but those who know me know that that is a big part of me being me.
Again, I would like to express my appreciation to all those that enabled, and especially the students who participated in our youth voting. OK back to another part of me being me and that is my strong belief in living up to our civic and civil responsibilities as Americans. Shortly I will be launching a couple of proposals that I will present over the next couple of weeks in editorials, and public meetings. Please, I know of many of you who read these, as strangers, and others: who when introduced: Oh, I know who you are; I read your editorials all the time… Well, these are good, but it would help if more read about these proposals so ask your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, to read the Westfield News…I believe that many of you will approve, and hopefully support them. But, the more the better…OK, to one and all have a REAL Day of Thanksgiving, we all could use it….Your former Ward 3 City Councilor, Brian Hoose…[email protected].
