A Veteran’s Thoughts
By Ski Ingram
November 2025
Most of you know that my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. This year I asked the readers of my newsletter to email me and tell me a few of the things they are thankful for. I’m happy to say that many of you responded, for which I am thankful. One of my readers sent a meme that said, “There is always something to be thankful for.” This is true. There are so many things for which I am thankful that I will not be able to list them all here.
George Washington, America’s first President and the father of our country, inspired us with a Thanksgiving Proclamation. He wrote in 1789, “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God…”
Just like George Washington, I am thankful for my faith in God our Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my loving wife and children. I am thankful to have been born in the freedom of the United States of America. I am grateful that I have been taught, in my youth, the difference between good and evil. I am thankful that I was able to work with young men and women over the years helping them to choose the good things in life, then watch them grow to be happy successful adults with families of their own.
I am grateful for the many friends I have had the pleasure of serving with at church, the Boy Scouts, the Army, and the police department. Some of these friends I have had for more than 60 years.
I am thankful for the many of you who responded to my request. I wish I had all the space in the world to list the things each of you are thankful for, but since I do not, I am forced to print just the highlights of your responses. Everyone told me they are God-fearing, America-loving people who support law and order, and love our freedoms guaranteed in the constitution.
The first thing listed was your belief and faith in God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. The second thing you listed was your family, especially your spouse. Third and fourth you listed living in the United States and your friends. Some of the other things you are thankful for are your service to others, your health, intellect, your cognitive skills and knowing good from evil. These are some of the blessings that make life so wonderful.
Many of you, like myself, are thankful for the inspiration our forefathers’ received to fight for freedom and the divine guidance they received from God while writing the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. These men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so we could live in liberty. I do not know of any politician today who is willing to make that kind of personal sacrifice.
Almost everyone stated they are grateful that they have lived a life of service to our country, our youth, and our fellow men. I believe we were all put on this earth to serve and support each other. I am thankful that I was able to serve in this way.
I am so very thankful to those who subscribe to my newsletter for I know of your lives of service and your love of God and country. I am grateful to all you who are not afraid to speak up and voice your support for this great country. It is my hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. To quote Dickens, “God bless us, everyone.”
Ski Ingram is a combat veteran and a patriot who can be reached at: Ski@Skiingram.com Or www.Skiingram.com
