<strong>Dear Editor:</strong> I could really relate to Jack Ballard’s comment about Walmart "jumping forward over accustomed practice by beginning their massive Christmas season sales spectacular before we have even set the table for Thanksgiving." <p align="JUSTIFY">Shortly after Halloween, my husband and I stopped by "Wally World" for some groceries. We were shocked to hear Christmas music blaring from their sound system. It was bizarre to say the least. We could hardly wait to get through the check out line, and exit the store. My husband vowed not to set foot in the Lewisburg Walmart until <i>after</i> Thanksgiving. However, we ventured into the Walmart in Covington, VA, and we were pleasantly surprised. Instead of "Jingle Bells" and "Here Comes Santa Claus," we were greeted by soft rock music. It was refreshing. Apparently, not all Walmarts jump from Halloween to Christmas.</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">In all fairness, Walmart is not the only retailer to rush the season. Many other stores are guilty of ignoring Thanksgiving as well. Sadly, this national holiday does <i>not</i> get the respect and recognition it deserves. A lot of folks think that Thanksgiving is just an excuse to over indulge, and to socialize with relatives that you would rather not see very often.</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">Tragically, many modern Americans have forgotten the significance of Thanksgiving. Despite what the secular media says, it is <i>not</i> about consuming copious amounts of turkey, watching football on the tube, while guzzling Bud Lites, deer hunting, or being the first person in line when Walmart opens its doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening.</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">Thanksgiving is first and foremost a day to reflect and to give thanks to our Divine Creator for generously blessing our families and nation. George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, written in 1789, said this: "I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of the great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be... and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us." We 21st Century Americans would do well to remember this.</p> <p align="RIGHT"><em>Respectfully,</em></p> <p align="RIGHT"><em>JoAnn L. Fuir</em></p> <p align="RIGHT"><em>Alderson</em></p>
