To all of those working Thanksgiving: Thank you.
 

To all of our military personnel in Irag, Afaganistan, guarding the Korean border, in ebassies and stations all around the world. To all of those on active duty here at home who are away from loved ones.

Thank you for your sacrifice.

To all of the police officers and fire fighters who must work today because the necessity for your services doesn't stop with the holiday: Thank you.

To all of the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other medical workers on duty today, there to save the lives and treat the wounds of those whose Thanksgiving celebrations go wrong: Thank you.

To the workers at the restaurants and video rental places and movie theaters who go to work today so that the rest of us will have somewhere to eat and some entertainment: Thank you.

To the truck drivers on the road delivering the goods we'll be packing the stores to buy tomorrow, and those stocking the shelves: Thank you.

To everyone who, for whatever reason, doesn't have today off, who is away from the family they want to be with, who is working so that the rest of us can be safe and secure and happy in our homes: Thank you.

Gilda

I had to get up early this morning and report to work so that the shelves at the local Target could be stocked fully for tomorrow. Ugh. But Target makes up for it with holiday pay and the company also paid to get us some nice food for our breaktime.

It's nice to know someone thought of me. Thank you, Gilda.

I appreciate the new tone you took. Especially with holidays, the conveniences that we take for granted in society are provided with little or no thanks most of the time.

It isn't just the soldiers who work hard, but the cute girls we try to impress.

Thanks Gilda.

Wait a second. Today is a work day in Canada. Are you thanking all working Canadians, or are you discriminating against us with your horrible nationalism again? :lol: :lol:

Yes, I had to a couple thanksgivings when I worked at a Video Rental store, holidays are big rental days. I'm sure that people at the movie houses as well don't want to be there but it's also a big go to the movies day.

of course now I netflix and only go to industry screenings for the most part....

but yes, thanks to those that keep the machine running...someone has to...

I believe my last thank you covered Canadians :).

I'm not sure what "new tone" you're referring to. Have I in the past expressed hostility or lack of compassion for those who work holidays? I know I complain about Grace having to work holidays, but that's more about not having duties distributed equally among employees and having it all dumped on the younger ones and those without "families". It's not out of a lack of appreciation for those who do sacrifice family time to do necessary jobs.

Gilda

you're welcome omg!

Well, I do thank them all. But there was a time when America got by with _no_ retail stores open on Thanksgiving except for gas stations (and not many of them, either). Everybody spent the time with their families except public safety personnel. No long haul trucks on the road -- hell, there weren't even garbage pickups.

Maybe we'll slow down as a society and get back to that someday. Valuing family time over convenience -- wotta concept!

There's an appliance/electronics retailer in NJ/NY that takes out a full page ad every year on thanksgiving -- basically thumbing thier noses at all the retailers that choose to open... the ad states that thanksgiving is a time to be spent with family - and they are closing their doors on thanksgiving to allow their hardworking employees the day off to spend with their families. And Friday their sales will kick ass... They got the right idea... and if i were in the market for a new appliance - i'd spend it there.. (Just cuz i worked retail too many years and when the decision was made to open thanksgiving - it sucked-- black friday is bad enough... Thanksgiving day shoppers are the lowest form of life...

a big cheers and thanks to all the folks serving in the military though, who can't be where they want to be to celebrate the day in whatever way they choose too..

And well - thanks to you canadians too for being such good neighbors...

My first job was at an AMC movie theater. It really shocked me how many people went out to the movies on holidays. Thanksgiving and the days preceding and following it were the busiest days of the year when I worked there.

You are welcome from Jerusalem. Thanks for thinking of us!

Reading this from work right now, thank you to those who help us when we are workin to make our job easier. At least one perk, I can go raid the restaurant fridge and see if there's any goody trimmings i can stash for when i have my appetite back! :D

Nononono, I didn't mean it like that. I read posts every holiday season thanking cops, firefighters, and soldiers. I often say to myself "There are a lot more people to thank than that..." and your post did just that. The tone was new and refreshing to me.

Yeah...but you guys wanna turn down your Céline Dion? You've been playing her kinda loud, lately. Oh, and you want to maybe keep William Shatner on a leash, or something? He's been leaving some hot steamy piles on our lawn for some time now.

YES! Thank you!
What a good thread.
Hopefully they're getting paid double for their work.
Went to three grocery stores last night, trying to find one open. Ended up at a 7-11.

I've worked many Thanksgivings and Christmases. It totally sucks being at work while your family is celebrating, and especially having to listen to customers coming to your work place making inane comments like "Wow, it must suck to work today!". Thank you for your post Gilda. It would be nice to return to a time where family was valued more than the almighty dollar.

That kind of friendly attitude is fantasized about by workers in retail. its great to read it, but when it is spread while shopping and being out and about, that makes it even better.

thanks.