Happy Thanksgiving

As we gather today with friends and family to recognize and give thanks for our countless blessings, Maureen and I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving.
 
This is our second Thanksgiving in the Executive Mansion. It is such an incredible honor to serve as Governor of Virginia, and every day Maureen and I are reminded of the historic nature of our responsibility and opportunity, and we never forget that we would not be in this position without you: your hard work, sacrifices, time, commitment and support. We are thankful and blessed for the trust you have placed in us, and every day I work to honor that trust by remaining focused on building a Commonwealth of Opportunity in Virginia, making it the best place in America to live, work and raise a family.
 
We are also thankful this weekend for an opportunity to spend time with our children....in a unique way. On Saturday, the Executive Mansion will be, like a lot of Virginia homes, a "House Divided!" We will all be in Charlottesville watching Bobby and Sean's Hoos take on Rachel's Hokies! While this game will determine who wins the ACC Coastal Division, it also should remind us again how fortunate we are to be Virginians. Here in the Commonwealth, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are winning on the field, and off. No matter what side you take in this rivalry, we can all agree that Coaches Mike London and Frank Beamer and their talented student-athletes are tremendous representativesof our state.

We hope you are taking time this weekend, too, to share laughs and good memories with family and friends that you love and care about. In this day and age the time to unwind and enjoy each other’s company is more precious than ever.
 
Before we settled into the long holiday weekend we did ensure that one tradition continued. Below is the official 2011 Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by our office. If you have a moment, you may enjoy reading it. It reminds us that while all Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, only Virginians can take credit for starting the holiday!  Another remarkable fact about our historic Commonwealth.
 
Again, Maureen and I wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving, and our best wishes for a joyful holiday season.

Bobby and Sean say Go Hoos. Rachel says Go Hokies...

.....and to humor their dad they are letting me add in, as always, Go Irish!

Sincerely,

Bob McDonnell
Governor of Virginia 

THANKSGIVING DAY

WHEREAS, the first permanent English speaking settlement in the New World was established in Virginia at Jamestown in 1607, as Captain John Smith led a group of settlers across the Atlantic on a voyage that would entail much hardship over the coming years, including disease and starvation; and

WHEREAS, to show their appreciation for the colony's success and to take stock and give thanks for their own gifts and blessings, and in spite of tremendous adversity, the settlers in Virginia found time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in America at Berkeley Plantation on December 4, 1619; and

WHEREAS, while reflecting upon the actions taken by the colonists at the first Thanksgiving, we also honor the Indian peoples, for without their presence, the survival of the colonists would have been ever more difficult; and

WHEREAS, American leaders and citizens have recognized a day of Thanksgiving since our first president, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789, stating "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 implore His protection and favor"; and

WHEREAS, it is a Virginia tradition for our citizens to come together in unity on Thanksgiving Day and give thanks for the great level of serenity, harmony and abundance with which we, as citizens of a free nation, have been blessed; the rule of law by which we peaceably govern ourselves and by which our civil and religious liberties are guaranteed; and the brave servicemen and women of our armed forces who risk their lives to defend the freedoms and blessings we cherish;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize November 24, 2011 as THANKSGIVING DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens; and

FURTHERMORE, I encourage all Virginians to give thanks to our Creator for our plentiful blessings, including the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as well as the unwavering strength of our families and communities.