Thank you for the history lesson Don! I’m thankful to God Almighty for giving me another day on this earth, family, friends & despite our problems, the greatest nation in the history of the world. Happy Thanksgiving Mr Surber & all here.
“As to whose thanksgiving was first, I really don’t care, Margaret, as long as we remember to thank God early and often and at least once a year as a nation.”
Love that!
A Most Blessed Thanksgiving to one and all, as we contemplate the incomprehensible blessings, gifts, grace and mercy, both great and small, which God has bestowed upon each one of us throughout our lives.
Waaay back in the 1970s I was asked to paint a plaque to commemorate Sir Francis Drake's exploration of the Pacific coast, including Oregon; the Spanish never made it that far north. Sooo -- it's a mixed bag, all those discoveries.
Oh, and to be fair to the Russians -- though they don't deserve it -- they made it from the north all the way down to California, where they established Fort Ross, in 1812.
You have the right perspective, Suzie. Thank God first.
However, as a Virginian, I am disappointed that noone has mentioned the first (English colony) Thanksgiving at Berkeley plantation. Those that landed at Jamestown also thanked God for their passage and the remains of the church there, restored by the Colonial Dames, is worth a visit.
There have been some fascinating discussions about the two strains of the USA founding—the religious freedom seekers (mostly in New England) and those seeking economic opportunity and focused on private enterprise (the Southern colonies). Seems to me that both threads are important to our national character of individuality, pragmatic “can-doism” and devotion to God and community.
May God grant a return to that ethos and thankful for His many blessings, and the interesting folks that post here.
Europe committed suicide alright. They quit having large families then imported laborers from Turkey, India, Pakistan and numerous African nations. Those people bred like rats and instead of learning, they welcome more! Maybe instead of deporting our Latino invaders back to Central America, we should drop them in France, Germany and the formerly great, Britain.
Look at the Muslim who shot the two National Guard troops in DC - 4 years, not 10 years in this country and he already had 4 or 5 children (depending on the story).
We're going to have to go through an ugly period to eradicate true insurrectionists from this great country.
Victor Davis Hanson released a good piece regarding the crusades yesterday. Today's history revisionists want us to believe they were the medieval version of terrorists.
Where are today's knights Templar? Where are today's Hospitaliers?
My take is this:
A common symbol of Islam is the sword and crescent moon. The sword obviously reflects that Islam is spread by violence and the moon? Two reasons, allah was the Arabian moon god. The Ishmaelites elevated it over their many other gods when they created islam. The other reason the moon is appropriate is its other name, luna and Muslims are lunatics.
VDH is a national treasure. Thank you for sharing his recent article. I shall have to read it. His understanding and conveyance of right-thinking history is without equal.
Two early 20th Century thinkers come to mind that tried to warn us of the inherent danger of islam. Hilaire Belloc’s book, The Great Heresies, rightly identifies islam as a Christian heresy and he predicts that islam will rise again, and he saw no remedy to mitigate its poison. Additionally, Belloc’s friend, G.K. Chesterton wrote in his book, Orthodoxy, regarding islam, “out of the desert, from the dry places and, the dreadful suns, come the cruel children of the lonely God.”
I couldn’t agree more that VDH IS a national treasure. Not only is he a genius of epic proportions he also talks and writes so the common man can understand him. If ONLY the common man would listen. Like Rush Limbaugh he will be irreplaceable. And I say AMEN to your last sentence.
By the time Napoleon stopped on his way to Egypt, the Hospitallers had fallen into debauchery and piracy. While they mostly targeted Turkish vessels, they were also serving in other navys, many with the French.
The order exists to this day, but nothing like what existed at the time of the crusades.
I ask myself why post WWll West Germany went to Muslim Turkey to recruit adult males to work in the reconstructed factories since all the adult German males were decimated thanks to A.H. Well would any surviving male in Europe move to Germany to help rebuild their economy for WWlll? They should have imported the neutral Irish. 🤷🏼♂️ Just sayin.
Yep. Germany may be done now thanks to Angela Merkel. I have always wondered how she was elected. Terrible person with terrible ideas. One World Order adherent. Now they see what she did and maybe too late.. Still waiting to see if we will have our “lightbulb on moment” here after a few more socialist psychos get into office here. Couple that with the stampede to AI and going to be a very rocky next ten years here.
Thanks Tmitess for that reminder that there was a time that men of the Christian West understood the threat of islam and fought for their way of life, faith, and freedom.
Another day in history: September 11, 1683 the Catholic king of Poland rescued Vienna from the muslim siege. The muslims never forgot that date to our everlasting grief.
Islam= satanism. The devil weilds his weapons against everything that GOD created. Every perversion of Scripture is an attack against GOD. Because He loves us Satan will attack with every weapon at his disposal.
You’re correct. Hilaire Belloc predicted this threat in the early 20th Century that islam will be a recurring problem to the Christian West. The difference between men who lived in, say, 1683 and now is that people then knew they needed to fight for their faith to retain their way of life and freedoms. Now the Christian West, especially European nations, lost their faith a long time ago so without a Christian God to believe in, they easily capitulated to barbaric muslims.
I’m presently waiting in my brother’s warm car in a parking lot in downtown Atlanta. The Atlanta half-marathon starts soon, wish me luck. Gonna be slow, just want to finish. No way to keep up w 10-yrs younger brother. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
We really enjoyed the last few warm days of autumn here in NEGA mountains as we knew colder weather was predicted for today. Great day to fry the turkey, though. Best of luck on your Atlanta run. At least, the activity should keep you warm.
Good man! I’m on my fourth double Monkey Shoulder with no end in sight. OBTW my eye sight is perfect. Did I tell you I have a lazy eye? I can only use one eye at a time.
I learned from my family’s genealogy that my ancestor, Moses Simmons, had arrived on the ship Fortune in Plymouth, MA, on November 9, 1621. He was 16 years old, and he not only survived his first winter in 1621, he lived for another 68-70 years. Which is why every Thanksgiving I bow my head and thank God it was Moses who lived back then and not I, because I would have made the sorriest excuse for a Pilgrim.
Just a thought but if someone did not adapt and dare to venture we would not be HERE in the land of the free . Thank GOD for the strength and faith he gave our ancestors.
AMEN! “They” don’t make men and women like that any longer.
We are a nation”drinking from the wells” of the civilization that those first to arrive sparked. And we are right to give thanks with a grateful heart.
I bought a Tee Shirt from Rush Limbaugh years ago. With it came a card. "The United States of America is a True Miracle" it is posted on my desk and I read it everyday.
God Bless you Rush. I know you are sitting by His side. Charlie Kirk too.
We love Don and our Superman PDJT if only he would stifle...Speak softly and carry a big stick...he hasn't paid attention to the speak softly part causing him and us a lot of grief...let's hope he finds a way to prevail....(see American flag waving) (hear Star Spangled Banner in background) or Kate Smith singing God Bless America! Did you all know about Kate Smith story in Philadelphia...google it in your spare time.
Don thank you for the history lesson. Yes we must thank Almighty God every day for every grace and blessing. But especially today the one day we set aside to especially thank God together with our family friends and loved ones.
Happy Blessed Thanksgiving 👍😂🙏🇺🇸
PS. This year I add Don’s Substack and readers to the things I am thankful for.
I took WSJ Vermont Royster’s 1960 Fruited Plains editorial off my list, it is now monetized -65 years later behind their Murdoch’s paywall….
But w G-d’s grace, our family is still enjoying: the Bounty of these fruited plains, benefits of the current creation of limited government established by our forefathers 249 years ago, the freedom to worship as we see fit - - protestants, catholics and jews, w/o state approved religion.
Included in my prayers of thanksgiving, I thank our Creator giving the courage to my ancestors to venture to the New World - if not for that decision even as we are here today - in England the Same Parliament and King —One Quarter of a Millennium later —are STILL oppressing their subjects, and have even increased it beyond John Wilkes’ wildest imagination.
Thanksgiving Indeed! PTL for He is Merciful and Mighty!!!
The Brits are currently in the process of destroying the Magna Carta. The lastest travesty - jury trials only for serious crimes like murder and rape. What the hell has happened to these people? Too much uncontrolled immigration and suicidal empathy. Hat tip to Gad Saad for the term suicidal empathy.
That was really interesting. I never knew all that history, very cool. I'm thankful for my family and the good fortune of living in such a prosperous country. I'm also thankful that my most argumentative brother will be in VT with his girlfriend so he won't be able to get into arguing politics with my liberal sister and her Canadian husband. Happy Thanksgiving to you Don and all of your readers.
If you’ve never been to Palo Duro Canyon in the summer when they’re performing “Texas “ you should treat yourself. It’s in a beautiful natural setting and delightful
I'd like to mention that this is 75th Anniversary of the outdoor drama, "Unto These Hills," by the Cherokee, who have a long history in the region (present-day Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama), with evidence of their presence dating back thousands of years.
The Seloy didnt bring the Gopher tortoise? Usually They ate Great Gobs of Greasy, Grimy Gopher Tortoise Guts, little birdie’s dirty feet, little bits of monkey meat. All wrapped up in all purpose porpoise puss…
Mr. Surber, Rush Limbaugh beat you to it in his 2nd book, See, I Told You So, written about 30+ years ago.
He also wrote a series of books geared towards children, Rush Revere, explaining important dates in our nations founding.
Having grown up in the ‘50’s & ‘60’s & 12 years of Jesuit indoctrination, we were taught American & World History, along with Civics, so much of the information we already knew, but there were a few tidbits we didn’t.
Thank you for the history lesson Don! I’m thankful to God Almighty for giving me another day on this earth, family, friends & despite our problems, the greatest nation in the history of the world. Happy Thanksgiving Mr Surber & all here.
Well said, Robert. I can't improve on that sentiment as I share it completely. God bless.
Thank you John. God Bless.
Ditto...I concur totally. God Bless America!!! God Bless Us All!!!
11/27/25: Amen! To Don, his family, and his readers --- hope you had a rewarding day today.
“As to whose thanksgiving was first, I really don’t care, Margaret, as long as we remember to thank God early and often and at least once a year as a nation.”
Love that!
A Most Blessed Thanksgiving to one and all, as we contemplate the incomprehensible blessings, gifts, grace and mercy, both great and small, which God has bestowed upon each one of us throughout our lives.
❤️🦃🇺🇸🙏
The same to you Suzie and I enjoy your comments here & on James Howard Kuntsler’s site.
Waaay back in the 1970s I was asked to paint a plaque to commemorate Sir Francis Drake's exploration of the Pacific coast, including Oregon; the Spanish never made it that far north. Sooo -- it's a mixed bag, all those discoveries.
Oh, and to be fair to the Russians -- though they don't deserve it -- they made it from the north all the way down to California, where they established Fort Ross, in 1812.
I apologize for the Eurotrash comment. I intend it for Europe’s leaders. No offense taken. I hate what they are doing to the Continent. 😂👍🙏🇺🇸🍾🍺🍺🍷
God bless you, Suzie.🙏
Amen!
Suzie. You’re a gift from God. I thank Him for you. 🦃🙏😂👍🍷🍁🍽
You have the right perspective, Suzie. Thank God first.
However, as a Virginian, I am disappointed that noone has mentioned the first (English colony) Thanksgiving at Berkeley plantation. Those that landed at Jamestown also thanked God for their passage and the remains of the church there, restored by the Colonial Dames, is worth a visit.
There have been some fascinating discussions about the two strains of the USA founding—the religious freedom seekers (mostly in New England) and those seeking economic opportunity and focused on private enterprise (the Southern colonies). Seems to me that both threads are important to our national character of individuality, pragmatic “can-doism” and devotion to God and community.
May God grant a return to that ethos and thankful for His many blessings, and the interesting folks that post here.
Well said my friend.
Thanks!
Also on September 8, 1565 The Great Siege of Malta ends. The tide of Muslim conquest in the Mediterranean begins to recede.
So 600+ years later Europe lets them back in and commits continental suicide. Go figure!
Europe committed suicide alright. They quit having large families then imported laborers from Turkey, India, Pakistan and numerous African nations. Those people bred like rats and instead of learning, they welcome more! Maybe instead of deporting our Latino invaders back to Central America, we should drop them in France, Germany and the formerly great, Britain.
Look at the Muslim who shot the two National Guard troops in DC - 4 years, not 10 years in this country and he already had 4 or 5 children (depending on the story).
We're going to have to go through an ugly period to eradicate true insurrectionists from this great country.
Victor Davis Hanson released a good piece regarding the crusades yesterday. Today's history revisionists want us to believe they were the medieval version of terrorists.
Where are today's knights Templar? Where are today's Hospitaliers?
My take is this:
A common symbol of Islam is the sword and crescent moon. The sword obviously reflects that Islam is spread by violence and the moon? Two reasons, allah was the Arabian moon god. The Ishmaelites elevated it over their many other gods when they created islam. The other reason the moon is appropriate is its other name, luna and Muslims are lunatics.
Islam isn’t a religion, nor is it peaceful.
Islam is a political ideology masquerading as religious expression.
Leave it in the Middle East, where it belongs.
It is a death cult
and that’s why it doesn’t belong in western societies, especially here in the US.
we have enough ghetto-rats, gangbangers & terrorists to last several lifetimes.
Iran is now claiming that the United States suffered very heavy losses in the twelve day war in June.
Yup. Heavy losses, 14 very heavy, as in 30,000 pound bombs lost over Iran. Lucky for us no planes or people injured or killed.
Send it back to hell where it belongs.
VDH is a national treasure. Thank you for sharing his recent article. I shall have to read it. His understanding and conveyance of right-thinking history is without equal.
Two early 20th Century thinkers come to mind that tried to warn us of the inherent danger of islam. Hilaire Belloc’s book, The Great Heresies, rightly identifies islam as a Christian heresy and he predicts that islam will rise again, and he saw no remedy to mitigate its poison. Additionally, Belloc’s friend, G.K. Chesterton wrote in his book, Orthodoxy, regarding islam, “out of the desert, from the dry places and, the dreadful suns, come the cruel children of the lonely God.”
I’m thankful that God has everything in control.
As an elderly man in the church where I grew up would say, "Amen and Amen!"
Alleluia Alleluia. 😂🙏🇺🇸
I couldn’t agree more that VDH IS a national treasure. Not only is he a genius of epic proportions he also talks and writes so the common man can understand him. If ONLY the common man would listen. Like Rush Limbaugh he will be irreplaceable. And I say AMEN to your last sentence.
I listen to his podcasts while I'm working.
You took the words right out of my mouth. All those Crusades down the drain.
Napoleon destroyed the Hospitallers as a military force on his way to Egypt.
By the time Napoleon stopped on his way to Egypt, the Hospitallers had fallen into debauchery and piracy. While they mostly targeted Turkish vessels, they were also serving in other navys, many with the French.
The order exists to this day, but nothing like what existed at the time of the crusades.
Until it started all over again. Should have finished it during last Crusade.
I ask myself why post WWll West Germany went to Muslim Turkey to recruit adult males to work in the reconstructed factories since all the adult German males were decimated thanks to A.H. Well would any surviving male in Europe move to Germany to help rebuild their economy for WWlll? They should have imported the neutral Irish. 🤷🏼♂️ Just sayin.
Yep. Germany may be done now thanks to Angela Merkel. I have always wondered how she was elected. Terrible person with terrible ideas. One World Order adherent. Now they see what she did and maybe too late.. Still waiting to see if we will have our “lightbulb on moment” here after a few more socialist psychos get into office here. Couple that with the stampede to AI and going to be a very rocky next ten years here.
Thanks Tmitess for that reminder that there was a time that men of the Christian West understood the threat of islam and fought for their way of life, faith, and freedom.
Another day in history: September 11, 1683 the Catholic king of Poland rescued Vienna from the muslim siege. The muslims never forgot that date to our everlasting grief.
Though the threat did not ever go away, the threat of Islam to Western culture is very real and very dangerous.
Islam= satanism. The devil weilds his weapons against everything that GOD created. Every perversion of Scripture is an attack against GOD. Because He loves us Satan will attack with every weapon at his disposal.
Superbly stated.
You’re correct. Hilaire Belloc predicted this threat in the early 20th Century that islam will be a recurring problem to the Christian West. The difference between men who lived in, say, 1683 and now is that people then knew they needed to fight for their faith to retain their way of life and freedoms. Now the Christian West, especially European nations, lost their faith a long time ago so without a Christian God to believe in, they easily capitulated to barbaric muslims.
We wish...
Prayers to the two soldiers shot in DC.
Song: Sweet Home Alabama
I chose Trump because the rest of our government is more corrupt than you can imagine.
Very thankful for you all here, especially brother Don.
I’m presently waiting in my brother’s warm car in a parking lot in downtown Atlanta. The Atlanta half-marathon starts soon, wish me luck. Gonna be slow, just want to finish. No way to keep up w 10-yrs younger brother. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Best of luck! Good on you for taking it on. Slow and steady wins the race. Finishing is enough.
Made it!
🙌🏼
🐢
We really enjoyed the last few warm days of autumn here in NEGA mountains as we knew colder weather was predicted for today. Great day to fry the turkey, though. Best of luck on your Atlanta run. At least, the activity should keep you warm.
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
I wish you luck; moreover, I pray for your success. Run like you can get away with it!!
You should have taken your car, he might give up and drive to the hospital to look for you. Be safe.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Gobble till you wobble, baby, gobble till you wobble! 🦃🙏🏻😊🇺🇸
I’m in trouble. I’m already wobbling. lol 😂😂😂🦃🦃🦃
Good man! I’m on my fourth double Monkey Shoulder with no end in sight. OBTW my eye sight is perfect. Did I tell you I have a lazy eye? I can only use one eye at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Enjoy company and find common ground. Life is short and so am I.
I am thankful for all that I have, and all that I do not have.
I have God.. I pray you also
In my heart, in my house and I don’t leave home without him.
As it should be for true peace of mind .
Well said John.
Happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful I found you on Substack.
I learned from my family’s genealogy that my ancestor, Moses Simmons, had arrived on the ship Fortune in Plymouth, MA, on November 9, 1621. He was 16 years old, and he not only survived his first winter in 1621, he lived for another 68-70 years. Which is why every Thanksgiving I bow my head and thank God it was Moses who lived back then and not I, because I would have made the sorriest excuse for a Pilgrim.
Just a thought but if someone did not adapt and dare to venture we would not be HERE in the land of the free . Thank GOD for the strength and faith he gave our ancestors.
AMEN! “They” don’t make men and women like that any longer.
We are a nation”drinking from the wells” of the civilization that those first to arrive sparked. And we are right to give thanks with a grateful heart.
What a family history to have Kitty. I’m so thankful to those early settlers who paved the way for us all.
https://mayflowerhistory.com/fortune
We should all be thankful to God for America. (p.s. and Sir Don)
I bought a Tee Shirt from Rush Limbaugh years ago. With it came a card. "The United States of America is a True Miracle" it is posted on my desk and I read it everyday.
God Bless you Rush. I know you are sitting by His side. Charlie Kirk too.
Can you not envision the joyous smiles on Rush and Charlie as they watch their students carry forth ?
We love Don and our Superman PDJT if only he would stifle...Speak softly and carry a big stick...he hasn't paid attention to the speak softly part causing him and us a lot of grief...let's hope he finds a way to prevail....(see American flag waving) (hear Star Spangled Banner in background) or Kate Smith singing God Bless America! Did you all know about Kate Smith story in Philadelphia...google it in your spare time.
The Philadelphia Flyers are dead to me because of what they did to Kate Smith. And I’m a native of Philadelphia 😢
Exactly and I think there was a statue that they took down which made it even worse for me!!! God Bless Kate wherever she is!!!
Thanks, Don! For another great year of insight.
I hope you get the Bentley this year!
Daughter and hubby (and my ADORED grandkids) are going to family 6hrs south.
Peace and quiet for 48 hrs
sheepishly I admit it's their house
I will keep the pets alive... *wink*
All glory and thanksgiving to God.. I am so blessed.
No need to be sheepish. The way I see it, it’s a blessing for them and for you. Savor the peaceful moments.
Amen!!! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving and get home safe. 😂🙏🦃👍🇺🇸🍷
Don’t be 🐑 ish. 😂🦃👍🙏🍷🇺🇸☕️🍁🍽
Don thank you for the history lesson. Yes we must thank Almighty God every day for every grace and blessing. But especially today the one day we set aside to especially thank God together with our family friends and loved ones.
Happy Blessed Thanksgiving 👍😂🙏🇺🇸
PS. This year I add Don’s Substack and readers to the things I am thankful for.
I took WSJ Vermont Royster’s 1960 Fruited Plains editorial off my list, it is now monetized -65 years later behind their Murdoch’s paywall….
But w G-d’s grace, our family is still enjoying: the Bounty of these fruited plains, benefits of the current creation of limited government established by our forefathers 249 years ago, the freedom to worship as we see fit - - protestants, catholics and jews, w/o state approved religion.
Included in my prayers of thanksgiving, I thank our Creator giving the courage to my ancestors to venture to the New World - if not for that decision even as we are here today - in England the Same Parliament and King —One Quarter of a Millennium later —are STILL oppressing their subjects, and have even increased it beyond John Wilkes’ wildest imagination.
Thanksgiving Indeed! PTL for He is Merciful and Mighty!!!
The Brits need a new MAGA CARTA. LOL 😂😂😂😂🦃🍷👍🙏🍁🇺🇸☕️
The Brits are currently in the process of destroying the Magna Carta. The lastest travesty - jury trials only for serious crimes like murder and rape. What the hell has happened to these people? Too much uncontrolled immigration and suicidal empathy. Hat tip to Gad Saad for the term suicidal empathy.
I couldn’t have said it better.
That was really interesting. I never knew all that history, very cool. I'm thankful for my family and the good fortune of living in such a prosperous country. I'm also thankful that my most argumentative brother will be in VT with his girlfriend so he won't be able to get into arguing politics with my liberal sister and her Canadian husband. Happy Thanksgiving to you Don and all of your readers.
If you’ve never been to Palo Duro Canyon in the summer when they’re performing “Texas “ you should treat yourself. It’s in a beautiful natural setting and delightful
I'd like to mention that this is 75th Anniversary of the outdoor drama, "Unto These Hills," by the Cherokee, who have a long history in the region (present-day Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama), with evidence of their presence dating back thousands of years.
The Seloy didnt bring the Gopher tortoise? Usually They ate Great Gobs of Greasy, Grimy Gopher Tortoise Guts, little birdie’s dirty feet, little bits of monkey meat. All wrapped up in all purpose porpoise puss…
…but they forgot their spoons.
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
OK, I see you either ARE my age, or know someone who is. That was the Love Song at our Dalewood School.
I’m over the hill. 😂🙏🇺🇸🦃🍷👍
Mr. Surber, Rush Limbaugh beat you to it in his 2nd book, See, I Told You So, written about 30+ years ago.
He also wrote a series of books geared towards children, Rush Revere, explaining important dates in our nations founding.
Having grown up in the ‘50’s & ‘60’s & 12 years of Jesuit indoctrination, we were taught American & World History, along with Civics, so much of the information we already knew, but there were a few tidbits we didn’t.
Thank you for taking me down memory lane.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Indeed. I bought Rush's whole set of history for youngsters. Grandkids didn't want them. Good. I have them now.