VOL. XVII, NO. 5

By THOM O'DONNELL

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Two hundred years ago, Americans had not so much to be thankful for as we do. Today, we seldom bother to thank anyone for what we do have.

Many Americans fail to realize the great strides which have been made for this country. Why, 200 years ago, young children were forbidden to play games because the country had too much work ahead of it; and children were expected to help their country grow as much as anyone.

Young people have helped this country grow to such an extent that Mr. Eric Edstrom and the Bicentennial Committee have dedicated a great deal of their time this year to the praise of youth's contribution to the freedom of this nation.

In the late 1800's, it was the youth of America who raised enough money to have the Statue of Liberty erected in New York Harbor after the French ran out of money to construct the foundation for their masterpiece gift.

A youth even wrote the script found at the base of the statue. Emma Iazarus, a young immigrant, wrote, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

This Thanksgiving, think more about the freedom earned for you by others before you. There's more to be thankful for than you may think.