|
Post by Scout on Nov 20, 2007 7:52:02 GMT -6
Was Thanksgiving celebrated on the army posts? Any mention of it from soldiers?
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Nov 20, 2007 11:20:21 GMT -6
And A VERY Happy Turkey And Football Day to all my American cousins and friends [and those who don't like me too]. I'll have to make do with Fish and Chips. We had our Thanksgiving a month ago. I had Fish and Chips then, too. But for Christmas, we'll be having Chinese order in.
Personally, I love turkey and all the fixins, but I'm the only one in the family who does. Still I'll probably get a smallish bird for the period between Christmas and New Year - hot turkey sandwiches, turkey salad, turkey croquettes, stuffing sandwiches, eggs and stuffing, turkey and cheese tacos and tostadas..........................
Sorry about that. What was the question, again?
Gordie, MC
|
|
|
Post by BrokenSword on Nov 20, 2007 11:52:57 GMT -6
hey Scout-
There were really only three holidays, as such, in this country then. 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Even birthdays pretty much came and went with no fanfare (except for the very wealthy)
4th of July was fireworks, dancing and DRINKING. Picnics were the thing that day.
Thanksgiving was more of a church attendance thing. The food and all came along in the 20th Century. Any feasting was more due to the traditional harvest time celebrations in farming communities. President Lincoln first declared the fourth Thursday in November as an ‘official’ Thanksgiving Day during the Civil War. The motive was due more to unifying the North in his ‘keep the union together’ war.
1st Sgt. John Ryan, 7th Cav., was discharged in Dec. 1876. He stated in his memoirs that a big regret he had was not being at Ft. Lincoln to have 'Christmas dinner' with his friends that year. Indicating some sort of special occasion or observance.
I haven't found much mention about any but the 4th being a 'big deal' in most of their minds. That’s about all I can offer.
M
|
|
|
Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 20, 2007 12:19:48 GMT -6
And I'm sure they didn't have "Black Friday" sales after their observance of Thanksgiving. One department store is advertising that they will open at 4:00 AM on Friday. We have got to get over our obsession with "things" (excepting books, of course). Christmas used to be my favorite holiday, but the commercialism has ruined it for me.
Perhaps we should all go back to simple religious observances and family/friends dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas and forget the rest of the nonsense. Bah Humbug!
|
|
|
Post by BrokenSword on Nov 20, 2007 12:48:21 GMT -6
Diane- "...One department store is advertising that they will open at 4:00 AM on Friday. We have got to get over our obsession with "things"...."
I'm entirely with you on that. I told my staff they needn't open the doors until 5:30AM Friday.
Seriously, Christmas was the BIGGEST day on my calendar as a kid. I marked it with stars. [hint hint] Multi-colored ones.[hint hint again]
After I had left home, Thanksgiving evolved into my favorite. Aside from the house full of smells like roasting turkey, pies and cakes. There was no running here and there (except the grocery before it closed) to participate in the excesses of commercialism. (except books... as you say) Just the joy of gathering with friends and family...even the ubiquitous nutty uncle could be fun.
ANYWAY, I too would like to wish you and all here the very best of thoughts for this Thursday and every day. And here's HOPING for NEXT year ... peace... so that ALL family members might be home.
M
|
|
|
Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 20, 2007 12:54:23 GMT -6
I wish I could reward your good wishes with multi-colored stars, but that is not within my control. I can only give you all-red, all-blue, all-green, or all-gold. Sorry!
Happy Thanksgiving!
|
|
|
Post by "Hunk" Papa on Nov 20, 2007 16:01:10 GMT -6
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you across the Big Pond. I shall raise a glass or three to your good health and happiness.
|
|
|
Post by bc on Nov 20, 2007 16:03:23 GMT -6
Happy Thanksgiving to all and don't forget to stuff yourselves till you are full of it. lol
Didn't they celebrate George Washington's birthday with a big dance or was that a figment of John Wayne's & John Ford's imagination to make for better movies by adding things that allowed casting of women and including them in a cavalry movie? But then community dances were the common form of entertainment back in the day and maybe they did them regularly for any variety of reasons.
|
|
|
Post by BrokenSword on Nov 21, 2007 9:32:44 GMT -6
Diane -"...I wish I could reward ... with multi-colored stars, but that is not within my control..."
Oh. Probably just as well. I need to suffer more.
Maybe an alternate to stars: little rows of turkeys (in keeping with the season), or cowboy hats or perhaps little mules/jackasses? No. That wouldn't do either. You, and especially Fred, would then be asked to do the humanly impossible. Assign them while laying personal opinion aside. Did I really suggest 'turkeys' and 'jackasses'? Never mind.
M - Grateful, never-the-less.
|
|
|
Post by crzhrs on Nov 21, 2007 14:26:22 GMT -6
OK . . . signing out til after Thanksgiving.
One and all HAPPY THANKSGIVING . . .
Whoops . . . sorry to my American Indian friends!
|
|
|
Post by clw on Nov 21, 2007 16:06:53 GMT -6
Whoops . . . sorry to my American Indian friends! A lot of quiet reflection will occur in Indian homes tomorrow, but most will be eating turkey along with the rest of us. As we 'gather together' may all enjoy a day of feasting, tolerance and gratitude.
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Nov 21, 2007 20:29:05 GMT -6
Well said, Little Sister. Peace be on you.
Gordie, MC
|
|
|
Post by Treasuredude on Nov 21, 2007 22:17:41 GMT -6
During the blessing at Thanksgiving dinner, would it be wrong to ask for the Cowboys to lose?
|
|
|
Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 21, 2007 22:53:48 GMT -6
No, Dude, there is nothing wrong with that. I have been praying that for at least thirty years.
Happy Hope-the-Cowboys-Lose Thanksgiving!
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Nov 21, 2007 23:01:14 GMT -6
Diane:
Just noticed your new[ish] little tag line or whatever you call it. Nicely put. Rock on, darlin' -
Gordie, MC how did I miss THAT, he wondered, scratching his stubbly chin...............................
|
|