It’s time to be officially thankful as November is upon us. And while we ought to be thankful every day of the year, this autumn month brings us many opportunities to express gratitude.
Of course, there is Thanksgiving or otherwise known by those with strong gastric inclinations as “turkey day.” For those that can’t get enough pigskin viewing, the professional football games give them a good reason to crash on the couch as their digestive system recuperates. It’s an important holiday in American history with its beginnings as a way for the Pilgrims to be thankful for having survived as long as they had in the New World mostly due to the assistance of the Native Peoples. However, it is at the end of the month and we at Palm Coast Magazine have decided to treat it as a “culmination” of all the other reasons to be thankful that November provides.
The first one of these is earlier in the month: Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Please read the sidebar listing a myriad of reasons for being thankful to those who have served our nation. But just in case you don’t, here is a low altitude, high-speed pass regarding this federal holiday and its related activities in Palm Coast.
Veterans Day
Originally known as Armistice Day, the date of November 11 was chosen for its celebration because major hostilities of WWI formally ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
In 1919, it was U.S. President Woodrow Wilson who told Americans that, “the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory.”
Being thankful to members of the military and being grateful for the freedom secured by them was at the heart of the start of Veterans Day.
In 1926, Congress passed a resolution making it an official annual event. In 1954, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.
In 1968, Congress officially moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in November to begin three years later. Americans were confused. Many disagreed with the change. Thus in 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford signed legislation to change the official date back to Nov. 11 starting in 1978.
Flagler County and the City of Palm Coast have scheduled a joint celebration at Central Park located at 975 Central Avenue from 10 AM to 1 PM for an official ceremony followed by a barbecue luncheon for veterans and their families.
Registration is not required for the ceremony but is for the luncheon to ensure adequate supplies. The luncheon is no cost. Pre-register for the luncheon with your respective veterans’ group at the Palm Coast Community Center. Call the center at (386) 986-2323.
The ceremony is slated to begin with colors presentation by the Mantanzas High School JROTC. Local vocalists are scheduled to perform various patriotic songs including The Star Spangled Banner and Veteran of the Year will be announced.
Marine Corps Ball
Another local opportunity to celebrate veterans (and active service members) is the annual Marine Corps 247th Birthday Ball on Sat., November 5, at the VFW Post 8690 located at 47 Old King’s Road in Palm Coast. The event includes a cash bar from 5 to 10 PM with a social hour from 5 to 6 PM with dinner, ceremonies, and dancing from 6 to 10 PM. Dress is semi-formal. The honored guest for 2022 is Marine Elmer Hawkins, president of the 1st Marine Division in Guadalcanal who is also the Veterans Judge Advocate at the Malcolm B. MacLean Detachment #1144. Reserve tickets via email to Frankpaco1967@gmail.com or phone Ellen Werner at (386) 237-9798 or Joe Kowalsky (386) 237-4728.
Grateful Days Before Turkey
Social media is full of suggestions on how to be more thankful. Many users post a daily tidbit about what they are thankful for each day of November. That’s a good start to getting oneself in the mood to be grateful. Some of us require a bit more specific direction regarding a specific subject to be thankful for. Thus, we present you with a list of daily suggestions. Perhaps in the listing highlighted below, you can find a day or two that resonates with the things that matter to you.
Nov. 1 first brings us International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day. If you have a shaggy pup, you know why we are thankful for this.
Nov. 2 is National Deviled Egg Day. Here’s your opportunity to brush up your skills before Turkey Day.
Nov. 3 is Give Someone a Dollar Day. If you are the repeat recipient, you have plenty of reasons to be thankful
Nov. 4 is National Community Service Day. What a great way to show gratitude by helping a group in the community.
Nov. 5 is American Football Day. Here’s an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the gridiron before the games on Thanksgiving.
Nov. 6 is Daylight Savings Day. That “extra” hour of sleep is a reason to be thankful.
Nov. 7 is National Merlot Day. We don’t have to explain that one.
Nov. 8 is Election Day. We can be thankful that we have the opportunity to vote.
Nov. 9 is claimed by World Freedom Day and Go to an Art Museum Day.
Nov. 10 is the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday. Plenty of reasons to be grateful for Marines. Semper Fi.
Nov. 11 is of course, Veterans Day. It is also National Sundae Day.
Nov 12 is Chicken Soup for the Soul Day. Those suffering from the common cold are thankful for this.
Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day.
Nov. 14 is National Family PJ Day. Remote workers rejoice.
Nov. 15 is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Makes sense considering the other big pending holiday in November. It is also National Recycling Day.
Nov. 16 is National Button Day. Speaks for itself.
Nov. 17 is National Hiking Day. Should probably be the day after Thanksgiving.
Nov. 18 is Use Less Stuff Day.
Nov. 19 is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. Consumers have a plethora of shopping reasons to be thankful for this.
Nov. 20 is International Hug a Runner Day.
Nov. 21 is National Stuffing Day. Another day to practice for the big day.
Nov. 22 is National Cranberry Relish Day. Ditto on the practice day.
Nov. 23 is National Jukebox Day.
Nov. 24 is of course, Thanksgiving. Time to see if all of your practice will help.
Nov. 25 is Black Friday, which speaks for itself. But it is also Flossing Day. Your gums and teeth will thank you.
Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday. We should all be thankful for local businesses.
Nov. 27 is U.S. Turtle Adoption Day.
Nov. 28 is Cyber Monday. It is also National French Toast Day.
Nov. 29 is Giving Tuesday, a way to show thankfulness monetarily. It also is Throw Out Your Leftovers Day.
Nov 30 is National Mason Jar Day. Canning aficionados rejoice.