Happy Thanksgiving to all from the Eaves Family. Traditionally this is an American holiday, and I am not sure if it has become a day of Thanksgiving recognized internationally yet, but if not, I hope that one day it would be. No matter where you live and no matter what your circumstances are, there are so many things to be thankful for. Since this blog started almost two years ago a lot of heavy issues have hit our home, cancer with my step daughter Carlene, the loss of my daughter Alicia’s horse, as well as many other trials that life throws our way. Through it all there are so many people that I only know from written comments who have now become great friends and have let their hearts show with prayers and good thoughts for my family. Thank you everyone from around the world who has taken the time to share your experiences of joy and pain and brought us all closer together through these times. We are a family blessed indeed with such kindness, and we are all so thankful for what this blog has brought to our home. We are a Christian family, and we give thanks to our lord for always watching over us and for those everywhere. We are a patriotic family, not a political one, and we love our country and what it stands for
On this day we want to give thanks to a group of men and women who stand high above as heroes without measure. These men and women serve in the United States Army, The United States Air Force, The United States Marines, The United States Navy, and The United States Coast Guard. These brave individuals sacrifice all for our freedom as well as the freedoms of other countries around the world. They are a noble group that I have such great admiration and respect for. This Thanksgiving we give thanks to you all that are home, abroad and especially for those that have fallen and won’t be coming home. Many homes will have an empty chair at their tables tomorrow and our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Thank you to these families who have children and spouses that serve so bravely. Happy Thanksgiving to all and have a blessed day.
This is a 1945 Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover celebrating Thanksgiving with a mother and her (soldier) son peeling potatoes
one of my most favorite photos of a convoy of soldiers praying for each others safety
Thanksgiving dinner while on duty!
A group of Marines having a pretty good looking Thanksgiving feast
Thanksgiving with the Air Force
Thanksgiving with the Navy
giving thanks
Thanks to our Coast Guard
here is a great illustration of George Washington praying for his men before they go into battle.
And a special thanks to those fallen.
Best to you and your family on this day. I remember spending quite a few holidays away from home but with good wishes from folks such as yourself may it a little better. Alex says to tell you hello. Keep’em flying. Shawn Tabor, CPT, USAFR (RET) Director, Battlegrounds
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, John, and to everyone who visits here as well. And to all those who can’t be home for this holiday, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to you and we hope you’ll be able to come home soon.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, John. And to all our American Cousins at home and oversea.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, John, and to everyone here who celebrates Thanksgiving. I hope the next year brings good fortune to you all.
From my family to yours John – Happy Thanksgiving. Wishing you and yours all the best. Thank you for a very moving and inspirational post!
Take care buddy
Happy Thanksgiving to my friend John, your family, and to all who are celebrating this great county, here and around the world. Thanks just isn’t enough to say to those who have sacrificed so much…I hope those in service and who have lost loved ones know how much you are appreciated.
Hi to my blog friends, and be safe this holiday season!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Johnny! And to all here as well.
I’m thankful to call you my friend, bro, and that goes for all my other bud here as well!
peace & bananas & all the fixin’ | deg
Happy Thanksgiving, John and to your family as well. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share these things with us. It has truly enriched my life and for that I am forever grateful!
I am also thankful to those men and women who serve this country to keep us safe and to protect the lives of all around the world. Their’s is a never ending sacrifice and to us a debt of gratitude that can never be paid enough.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Good Evening, Mr. Eaves,
I’ve been following your blog for a while and I have to say, I’m really struck by your patriotism; you’re a great American. I can speak for myself as a cadet and other active or retired members of the armed services in saying that it’s our honor to serve our fellow Americans. We live in the greatest country in the world and it’s just something we feel we have to do. Having recently lost a good friend of mine in Afghanistan, it’s caused me to pause and look at what I’m doing with my life, but his sacrifice has just served to strengthen my resolve and that of the other service people who knew him.
Really, I’d like to thank you for your support of the Armed Services. It truly is appreciated. Even though we don’t do it for the honor or the glory, it’s nice to know that there are those who appreciate what we’re doing.
Though it’s two days late, I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing more amazing work on your blog (and maybe someday, if the stars align in a million-to-one way, I’ll manage to come close to your level of amazing talent).
[and as a little postscript, not that it matters, the dinner with the Air Force was more an Army dinner. Not sure why the Air Force sergeant was there, but like I said, it doesn't really matter. Just wanted to point it out, what with the similarity between our ABUs and the Army's ACUs. Even my family gets them mixed up now and then.]
Respectfully,
C/1st Lt James Trexler
Have a good Thanksgiving, John. Hope next year turns out to be a better one for all the Eaves clan.
Here’s a moving poem, displayed in tribute to the veterans of Vietnam at the conclusion of the movie “Hamburger Hill”, which I think is appropriate to the soldiers of all wars and eras:
If you are able,
save for them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam.
Happy (late) Thanksgiving! I was visiting my family and came back to find my prize from you had been delivered! I’m thankful for it, and for the bonus picture! You helped make my season even more bright.
Thank you!
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