Letters to the Editor

After doing some research on the origin of Thanksgiving, it’s not clear to me if the event was an actual display of appreciation or a typical harvest festival. Either way, I like how we currently observe the day. There are some important lessons (as in all history), that should have been learned.

Pilgrim leaders Edward Winslow and William Bradford, helped establish the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. Both men were governors and both kept diaries. Winslow’s account is the one used by most school books. Basically, the first winter was hard and half the colonists died. But, the survivors were hard working and learned new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 was bountiful. They held a celebration, gave thanks to God and lived happily ever-after.

William Bradford’s recollection seems to tell a different story. In the harvest feast of 1621, “all had their hungry bellies filled,” but only briefly. One observer noted that the first “Thanksgiving” was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men. Why did he say that?

The Pilgrims were under a contract with sponsors in London that called for everything they produced to go into a common store (collectivism). Each member of the community was entitled to one common share. Rampant laziness ensued when colonists figured out they would still receive their “share,” even though they didn’t contribute. Near-starvation followed. Many relied on the Indians for help and others took to stealing.

To remedy the situation, Bradford assigned each family a parcel of land to use as they saw fit. When faced with personal responsibility, there was an immediate turnaround. They discovered the rewards of effort which gave them the incentive to produce even more. A free market was created where they could trade their surpluses for other goods, thus benefiting the whole community. By 1624, they were able to begin exporting corn. It wasn’t a fairy tale, but no one starved either.

Aristotle who lived from 384-322 BC noted, “That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.” After 2,300 years of “learning” since Aristotle and countless failed attempts to make socialism work, there are still simpletons who want to “get it right.”

In a 1789 proclamation, George Washington said “Now therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the Twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...”

This piece of history will probably fade away too, now that Barack Obama has cited “When President Lincoln set aside the National Day of Thanksgiving for the first time...” I didn’t think it possible to change history. But, Michelle Obama did say her husband is the one to do it.

As we prepared for our annual Veteran’s Day banquet, we noticed the absence of our new flag and pole. This disturbs my family greatly, that someone would actually walk up on our porch in the afternoon and steal the flag right off of the house.

We try very hard to keep the flags we fly in good repair and to replace them as soon as they get faded. It is lit up at night with a dedicated spotlight as per the United States flag code. Our main reason for flying the flag is not decoration, but respect for the men and women who have served and are currently serving this country.

If you know the whereabouts of our flag and pole, please see that we get it back—no questions asked.

The City of Cozad, Dawson Area Development (DAD) and Cozad Development Corporation (CDC) have begun the process to fill the void in the manufacturing sector of our community as a result of the recent Tenneco closure announcement. Efforts to attract new industries are in full force. Collaboration between local agencies, Nebraska Public Power District and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development is vital.

Recent recruitment efforts include the completion of community marketing materials, development of a dedicated labor opportunity website, trade show attendance and the completion of a target industries study, just to name a few. We will continue to move forward and make contact with businesses desirous of locating in Cozad. Promotional materials to market the Tenneco facility are being developed and will be distributed to all of our target businesses. Efforts to market the available land we have for development as well as the former Tabora Farms Bakery building are also underway. The inclusion of this information on websites and informational flyers as well as in packets being delivered to prospects will ensure broad distribution.

Providing assistance and tools to the Tenneco employees is paramount. “Money Matters” was recently held at Chipper Hall and a job fair is being planned for the first quarter of 2010. Workforce Development, along with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, has pledged their resources to assist us in job transition, training and recruitment.  Workforce Development was in Cozad at Chipper Hall on Nov. 18 and 19 to allow Tenneco employees to meet with representatives and discuss the available resources. Workforce Development is also available at Tenneco for individual meetings. Educating existing employers about posting job opportunities on websites such as dawsoncountycareers.com and nebraskaworkforce.com is important in creating centralized tools for job seekers.

If you have asked yourself, “what can I do,” the answer is to remain positive. We need to work together, support our local businesses and we will weather this storm. The City of Cozad, DAD and CDC will continue to work diligently on this project because success will not happen overnight. Your continued support is appreciated. If you have questions or concerns, please email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 308-784-3930.

Three days before Memorial Day I returned to Gothenburg to place two candlestick solar lights on my parents graves, only to have them stolen by some yellow-bellied coward that must be a thief to steal one’s tribute by desecration of a holy place.

I only hope that the Almighty will bring justice to the thief for such a cold, calculated, cowardly act of stealing and violating my rights to pay tribute to my parents. Dad was a World War II veteran that defended our country, for what—that cowards can steal from the dead?

It is a sad day in America when people steal from dead people’s graves, and it seems strange that the thief or thieves did not steal a solar light from a grave less than 25-feet from my parents graves.

In the end, people who steal rights away from others have not gained a single pleasure, and they must have the backbone of a chocolate eclair.

Thank God there are still some good people in this world, that I hope will help to rid our land of thieves, and report these kinds of acts to the law.