oped: Ok y'all don't forget to put Little Eva on and do the Turkey Trot Whilst a cookin' Ye old Turkey dinner:)
On Thanksgiving, we remember the hardships endured by those brave
Pilgrims who broke from the Church of England and came to America for
the simple
goal of religious freedom.
It is also the first night of Hanukkah, the celebration of the Festival
of Lights, commemorating the miracle of the oil, the Maccabean victory
over
the Hellenic invasion and Jewish religious freedom.
It is therefore appropriate that this Thanksgiving coincides with the
Jewish holiday of Hanukkah for a very special "Thanksgivukkah" which
won't occur
for another 79,000 years or so. How fitting we should come together on
this special day honoring the Judeo-Christian faith heritage of America,
and
our inextricable bond to the State of Israel.
America and Israel both face seemingly insurmountable challenges at this
time. However, as we gather in thankfulness with our families and
friends,
let us honor the perseverance of the early settlers and the rededication
of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt of
the
2nd century BC.
Let us recall the challenges these groups faced and let it inspire us to
secure the promise of freedom and liberty for our next generation. We
should
take comfort in knowing that both America and Israel represent a sense
of exceptionalism that has thrived against recurring threats and odds.
And each
year, we find ourselves celebrating Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.
It seems somewhat a miracle that not even a week ago, a deal was struck
with our common enemy, Iran. This is an enemy sworn to the destruction
and
elimination of our ally Israel, as well as the subjugation of our
Constitutional Republic to their tyranny and totalitarianism.
So here we are on this day, together giving thanks with our families and
friends. Here we are saying to those who would break our bond that
their
efforts will fail and they shall be cast upon the ash heap of history --
and years from now our future generations will remember the early
Pilgrims,
the Maccabees, and those of us today who pledge to keep Thanksgiving and
Hanukkah always and forever.
Steadfast and loyal,
Lt. Col. Allen B. West, USA (ret)
U.S. Congressman (2011-2013)
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