Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Prior to 1863, Thanksgiving was celebrated on different days by different states. That all changed on October 3, 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. It's important to note that the proclamation was made as the Civil War raged across the country.

I recently read President Lincoln's proclamation and was struck by this passage:

"And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union." - President Abraham Lincoln

For many people, this year's Thanksgiving celebration will be different than normal. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanksgiving dinner tables across the country will be missing family and friends.

One of the most tragic aspects of the pandemic is the isolation that many people feel and that's going to be especially true over the next few days. Don't let that happen. Take a few minutes and call that cousin you only see once a year, or maybe video chat with your aunt and uncle in Arizona. My point is that family and friends are the most important things in life. Don't allow the pandemic to stop you from wishing them a happy Thanksgiving.

I'm here to serve you. If you have questions or concerns, please contact my office at rep.chris.tuck@akleg.gov or call (907) 269-0240.

Please be safe,