We shouldn't have to look very hard to find reason to give thanks. Being an American is one of the biggest reasons to give thanks any year, especially this year. With the September 11 tragedy, we are reminded why we are the greatest country on earth. Americans once again showed that we as a people can unite to support a cause when our liberties are under attack. Throughout the country people donated money to help the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks and relief workers from all over went to New York to help in the disaster recovery.

Most Americans take their freedom for granted only because their freedom has never been threatened or they have never seen first hand what oppression can do to people. Soldiers who fought in war can tell you how much they appreciate their freedom. I never fought in any wars but I did spend some time years ago in Berlin. When I crossed the border from West to East Berlin it was like a time warp. While the stores in West Berlin were clean and bright and full of items to sell, the stores in East Berlin were dingy and gray and had few items for sale. In East Berlin there were armed soldiers on every corner and they all looked real mean. As I was walking back to Checkpoint Charlie, I stopped to take a picture of a street scene. About 30 seconds later, an East German police car pulls up and 2 cops head right towards me. Immediately I thought they were going to confiscate my camera and send me off to Siberia. Instead, they went right past me and arrested a man who was urinating against a building. I walked as fast as I could back to the border and breathed a sigh of relief when I crossed back into West Berlin and to freedom.

We can be thankful that the world is more united now that it probably has ever been. While the terrorist attacks were horrible, I feel that it may have been a turning point for the better in world affairs. Not only has the world become united against terrorism but I feel that the world is becoming more united in the way we think and the way we perceive things. I think it points to the fact that not only are we becoming a global economy, we are also becoming a global society. With the advent of the internet and CNN and other communications made possible through satellites, everyone can see for themselves how Americans and the rest of the world live and think. Despots and dictators alike are having a hard time preventing their citzenry from observing the freedom and choices we have in this country. That is why the Taliban in Afghanistan banned all forms of media. It prevented the people from seeing how bad off they were compared to the rest of the world.

We can be thankful for the fact that the war in Afghanistan appears to be coming to a successful conclusion. It would be great to be able to flush out the biggest turkey in the world for Thanksgiving, Osama bin Laden. When he is caught he deserves the same consideration as all other turkeys at Thanksgiving.

Incidentally, I thought it was pretty neat to see Russian President Putin riding in Bush's big pickup truck at Bush's ranch in Texas last week. I hope Putin was impressed enough from observing the good life we Americans have to go back to Russia and try to accelerate the democratic process in that country.

So what do people in Minonk have to be thankful for? Like many small communities we can be thankful that we live in an area that is free of pollution, traffic congestion and crime. We can be thankful that we have an excellent school system and a town that has many beautiful homes and quaint architecture in its downtown area. Also, we are thankful that our community sits next to an interstate exit and that, therefore, bodes well for future economic development. Like they say, the 3 most important things in growth is location, location, location.

On a personal level I am thankful at this time of the year that I am not a turkey although some people who read my editorials may not agree with this assessment. Speaking of turkeys, Minonk was the site of one of the bigger turkey farms in the area years ago. The late George Krug used to raise turkeys on his farm southeast of Minonk. He would ship a lot of his turkeys to Chicago in addition to selling them locally.

Anyone who has good health should be thankful. I have lost some friends this past year who had suffered from ill health. Everytime I feel a little down I think of the misfortune of those who do not have their health and I immediately dismiss my problems. I suffered from rheumatic fever when I was 13 years old and I had a real fear that I might die. I will never forget the feeling of freedom and relief when the doctor allowed me to take a walk outside after being confined to a bed for 4 months. Surviving a bad illness can give you more empathy for those in bad health and a greater appreciation for life.

Lastly, as you celebrate your Thanksgiving day remember that the greatest thing you have to be thankful for is not the material rewards you have reaped this year but the ability to be with those you love. Have a happy Thanksgiving.