On Thanksgiving, Americans from all walks of life gather with family and loved ones to celebrate our blessings of the past year. As we begin the holiday season, we join our family and friends around the table today to share in our thanks for the opportunities and relationships that we enjoy, and we remind ourselves that we should not take these blessings for granted.
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving meal this afternoon, I am thankful for my three sons, McKay, Lucas, and Teddy, my loving wife Kristen, and the community we call home in central Illinois. Central Illinois is home to some of the richest farmland on the planet. Our state leads the way in producing many of the specialty crops that we find on tables across the country, including pumpkins, green beans, and sweet corn. Thank you to Illinois family farms and workers who continue to feed our country.
I am especially grateful today for the brave men and women serving overseas today so that we can enjoy the comforts of living in the greatest country in the world. Their sacrifice should not be forgotten as we gather this holiday season.
There is no doubt that this past year has been a challenge for so many due to the pandemic. Our health sector, small businesses, schools, and local communities have been tested like never before. Through it all, I continue to be amazed by the resiliency of our communities and residents of our state to push through these challenges and I know we will come out of them stronger. Like many of you, we are blessed with healthy lives, a loving family and a wonderful community, but it is important that during this season of thanks to not forget those who are less fortunate and do what we can to give back to those in need.
Over the last eight years, I have had the opportunity to take my sons to serve lunch at the annual Community Workshop & Training Center Thanksgiving luncheon in Peoria. CWTC is an incredible organization that assists developmentally disabled adults in our community. They strive each day to improve the quality of life for these adults, and we are grateful for the chance to lend a helping hand during the holiday season.
Whether you are gathering with friends to watch the Bears game this morning, making the last-minute run to the grocery store, or are putting the finishing touches on your turkey dinner, take a moment to stop and reflect on what you are thankful for today. We are all blessed to live in a country that allows each of us the freedom to chart our own path and to live out the American dream. For that, we should all be thankful.
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with family and loved ones!
Sincerely,
Darin LaHood
Member of Congress
