Pilgrim Pride

By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

It began when a few families made a daring and dangerous voyage across the Atlantic. Braving icy waves in leaky ships, they risked everything for the freedom to follow their beliefs and build a better life. When they landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, they had little food and no shelter. Relying on help from Native American Indians of the Patuxet tribe, these pilgrims endured New England’s bitter winter and gave thanks.

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving with food, friends, and, most importantly, family. At home in the Sandhills, our table is usually laid with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and the famous green bean casserole. My husband Bruce has to have his cranberries. The kids like lots of whipped cream on the pumpkin pie.

This year, though, I will spend Thanksgiving with the men and women who make our family celebration possible: members of our armed forces. This holiday season, many of them will be serving in far-flung corners of the world. We are so grateful for their service; we also understand the responsibility it places on us.

Thanksgiving celebrates American ideals: freedom of religion, a quest for community, and hope for a better life for our family and families to come. Our service members give us the chance to live those ideals, but we must act on this opportunity.

After this historic election, I believe we will.

The American people have spoken. They want to see our country set out in a new direction. They have been frustrated these past eight years. I have too. That’s why I am excited to work with President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence. Together, we will chart a new course. We will help our families by reining in expansive government. With our Republican Congress, we will work to grow economic opportunity, strengthen our safety, and make it easier for families to pursue their dreams with hope.

The pilgrims came to America seeking these things. Throughout our history, we have remembered their courage and willingness to endure great hardship in the pursuit of freedom. At times, this pilgrim pride has surprised foreign travelers and diplomats.

In the early 1800s, the famous French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville made a powerful observation. He noticed many small towns across America publicly displayed carefully preserved fragments of Plymouth Rock. He was amazed that our people honored a stone “which the feet of a few outcasts pressed for an instant.” Reflecting on this, the French diplomat asked an important question: “What has become of the gateways of a thousand palaces?”

Plymouth Rock is a national symbol of our beginning. The diplomat’s question points to the power of freedom. In America, a simple rock is more meaningful and sacred than a mighty castle.

America is a country built on freedom. Our service members guard it for us, and I am honored to be spending Thanksgiving with them this year. In your home, between helpings of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie this holiday, please spare a thought for the members of our military. Better still, offer a prayer. And let’s all remember the opportunity we have because of them. Like the pilgrims before us, we can follow our faith, build better lives for our families, and, in peace and safety, become the great people we know we can be.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer