Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude for our family, friends, and providence to live in America. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the founding of our nation, the principles, and ideals it stands for, as well as to remind us of the need to cherish and protect it.
Often, however, the true meaning of the day can get lost in the chaos and commercialization of the holiday season we’ve grown accustomed to. For most of my life that was also my thinking of Thanksgiving. That is until I got involved with the Convention of States movement. In my continued education about COS, the Constitution, and the brilliance of our Founding Fathers, my paradigm shifted, not only about Thanksgiving but my faith as well!
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In my COS journey, I was introduced to a little-known part of our history that was memorialized with the “Monument to Our Forefathers.” The monument explains to us the matrix of liberty based upon the biblical worldview of the pilgrims, our Forefathers. It was the blueprint used by our Founding Fathers in the creation of our Nation, some 150 years after the first pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. These ideas worked, as they gave birth to the freest, most prosperous, virtuous, and just nation the world has ever seen. |
“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shown unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.” – Governor William Bradford
Reading about this monument and its history was an awakening moment for me on just how precious our great Nation is, and how much their faith in God was the driving force. It gives me a deeper appreciation of the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Our Forefathers and Founding Fathers, although they were flawed men, as all men are, they were without a doubt the wisest men. Thanks to them we have enjoyed unparalleled freedom and opportunity for over 400 years, from the landing of the Pilgrims to today. All of us should humbly thank God and them for these many years of blessings and truly rejoice that we are once again able to celebrate another Thanksgiving.
So, as you gather today, give thanks to family and friends; to our military service members who courageously and selflessly defend our country; to the first responders who serve to protect our communities. Please take a moment to be thankful not only to our Founding Fathers but to our Forefathers.
As my family and I give thanks to all those I’ve mentioned, we will also be giving thanks to millions of people like you in our Convention of States ohana for all you are doing to preserve our great nation every day!
For Freedom,
Brett Kulbis
Hawai'i Grassroot Coordinator
About "Ask The Chief" - Ever since the U.S. Navy established the enlisted rank of Chief Petty Officer (April 1, 1893), “Ask the Chief" has resounded throughout the ranks by both enlisted and officer. For over 125 years the Chief has been the expert leaders & trainers, fountain of wisdom, ambassadors of good will, authority in personnel relations as well as in technical applications. They are the backbone of the Navy just like the grassroot volunteers of COS.
