Bush Cites Thanksgiving as U.S. Tradition Rooted in Religion
Pastor Dale Morgan
Bush Cites Thanksgiving as U.S. Tradition Rooted in Religion*
By Roger Runningen
Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush paused from the tumult
of the Iraq and Afghan wars this holiday weekend to mark an American
tradition he sees as rooted in religion.
``Thanksgiving is a time when we acknowledge that all of these things,
and life itself, come not from the hand of man, but from almighty God,''
Bush said in a post-Thanksgiving radio address to the nation.
The first celebration came when English settlers sailed up the James
River to Berkeley Plantation in Virginia in 1619, Bush said. Grateful
for their safe arrival, the 38 settlers fell to their knees in prayer
and decreed it be ``kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to almighty
God,'' the president said.
Bush also referred to the more famous 1621 New England Thanksgiving that
is rooted in popular culture, when Pilgrim colonists shared a harvest
feast with the Wampanoag Indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
``Throughout our history, Americans have always taken time to give
thanks for all those whose sacrifices protect and strengthen our
nation,'' Bush said of the holiday, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of
November, which fell this year on Nov. 22.
Bush thanked ``all our men and women in uniform who are spending this
holiday weekend far from their families.'' Police, firefighters,
emergency responders and faith-based and community volunteers are among
the ``many other Americans who serve a cause larger than themselves,''
Bush said.
``We are grateful to the author of life who blessed our nation's first
days, who strengthened America in times of trial and war, and who
watches over us today,'' the president said.