The Pittsburgh Press (November 21, 1945)
Ferguson: Thanksgiving
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
Thanksgiving is our only distinctive American holiday. How exciting it would be if we could see the whole nation at a glance. Football games, family gatherings, joyrides, turkey dinners, church – all the stirrings of life among people freed from the long restraints of war.
Let’s take a look. Wherever you are, the same old beautiful routines go on. Relaxation, bacon and eggs for breakfast, warm fires, friends dropping in to say hello, Dad fiddling with the radio, Junior asking for the car, sister primping for her date, soldiers still with that look of wonder at being home again.
For some, the movies and games; for some, church and meditation; for the many, activity; for the few, quiet; but for all, self-expression, freedom, hope.
We have troubling political problems. But we have statesmen able to solve them.
We have sickness and poverty. But we have the greatest scientists and doctors and a past record for using them that is encouraging for future advancement.
We have juvenile delinquents. But the majority of our young people are more intelligent, resourceful, courageous than those of any preceding generation.
We have immorality. But the proud spires of our churches testify to our religious aspiration.
We are greedy, adolescent, foolish, uncertain – yet we are the country that has shared our resources, our land, our freedom, our dreams with all the world. We have poured out our blood for our neighbors.
Beautiful, spacious, volatile, tawdry, prodigal, obstinate, vigorous, magnificent United States of America! How thankful I am today to be a little part of you.