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That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

PROCLAMATION 2571
DAYS OF PRAYER : THANKSGIVING DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord." Across the uncertain ways of space and time our hearts echo those words, for the days are with us again when, at the gathering of the harvest, we solemnly express our dependence upon Almighty God.
The final months of this year, now almost spent, find our Republic and the nations joined with it waging a battle on many fronts for the preservation of liberty.
In giving thanks for the greatest harvest in the history of our nation, we who plant and reap can well resolve that in the year to come we will do all in our power to pass that milestone; for by our labors in the fields we can share some part of the sacrifice with our brothers and sons who wear the uniform of the United States.
It is fitting that we recall now the reverent words of George Washington, "Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection," and that every American in his own way lift his voice to Heaven.
I recommend that all of us bear in mind this great Psalm:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me I the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.


Inspired with faith and courage by these words, let us turn again to the work that confronts us in this time of national emergency : in the armed services and the merchant marine; in factories and offices; on farms and in the mines; on highways, railways and airways; in other places of public service to the Nation; and in our homes.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, President of the United States of America, do hereby invite the attention of the people to the joint resolution of Congress approved December 26, 1941, which designates the fourth Thursday in November of each year as thanksgiving Day’ and I request that both Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1942, and New Year’s Day, January 1, 1943, be observed in prayer, publicly and privately.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this eleventh day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-seventh.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

The day before Thanksgiving, after a much needed two week rest, the "Purple Heart Battalion" was called back into action. Among the many battles in their quest to push the Germans out the the hills was the November 28-29 battle near Cerasuolo. Staff Sergeant Allan Ohata (left) along with his squad leader and 3 men, was ordered to protect the platoon's flanks. Ohata positioned his small force carefully. Suddenly, 40 enemy soldiers attacked his position with rifle and machinegun fire. Sergeant Ohata fought back furiously until he heard the rifleman to his left call for help. Private Mikio Hasemoto had faced down two German machinegunners, firing four clips before his own gun was shot and damaged. More enemy were advancing, and Sergeant Ohata rushed 15 yards, fully exposed to the enemy's fusillade, to shore up the position while Hasemoto dashed back to the rear to get another automatic rifle.

... And on the day, the Skwirrell declared unto his people, "Yay, and ye shall leave nuts unto me with the turkey".