The following article was published in the November 17th, 1938 issue of The Bossier Banner. Its message gives food for thought in 2013.
“Next Thursday, November 24th [in 1938], will be observed throughout the nation as Thanksgiving Day—a day set aside for the nation to render unto an all-wise Providence its gratitude for the manifold blessings of the past year.”
“Founded by our early Pilgrim fathers, up in New England, shortly after they had settled in the new world, this Thanksgiving Day custom is part of the warp and woof of our national heritage.”
“During all these years we have continued to set apart this one day. This seems to us to be fitting and proper, for never a year passes but we as individuals and as a nation have enjoyed blessings unknown to the fold of other lands and climes.”
“This year we have so much for which to be thankful that to enumerate them, or even to attempt to do so would be futile. Suffice it for us to remember the great war crisis of a few weeks ago and to praise our Father that He enabled our great nation to play a part in saving the world when on the very brink of a disastrous armed struggle that might have sounded the knell to our present-day civilization.”
“We join with our friends and neighbors in observing Thanksgiving Day of 1938 with hearts full of profound gratitude because we did not have to witness the awful picture of the nations of the world embroiled in a relentless and merciless war. We are thankful that our nation still commands respect abroad and we are ever mindful of our rich blessings of resources, natural and man power, which should enable us to steer clear of any future wars and, mayhap, lead the world to a peaceful solution of all its vexing and troublesome problems.”
“We trust that our people here in Benton, in Bossier Parish, in Louisiana and throughout the nation will not only enjoy family reunions, friendly visits and bountiful holiday dinners this year on Thanksgiving Day, but that in every section of our parish, state and nation Thanksgiving services in churches, in homes and in the hearts of every individual wherever he may pause will spring from hearts genuinely grateful for the blessings, the care and the bright hope of the future which the Great Intelligence has seen fit to bestow upon us during the year now drawing to a close.”
Thanksgiving has a long and interesting history. To find out how it has been celebrated in Bossier Parish, visit us and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.
Ann Middleton is Director of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. She can be reached at (318) 746-7717 or by e-mail at amiddlet@state.lib.la.us
