Families Again United in Thanksgiving Reunions

Increasing Arrival of Servicemen Gives Holiday Bright Outlook

Prospects for Thanksgiving Day family reunions are brighter this year than they have been for American families since 1940, and with the lifting of wartime restrictions this holiday points toward happy reunions for many, especially since the arrival of ships at east and west coast ports means welcoming loved ones home.  Wednesday, November 21, 1945 Dixon Evening Telegraph, Dixon, Illinois

A THANKSGIVING PLEDGE

JANICE HAUER, 14 YEARS OLD

Mary, a girl of about 12 years old was sitting on the front porch of her home talking to her friend, Sally Mae, who is about the same age. Both girls are rich and have nice homes. Mary is the kind of girl who is kind to others and has fun in helping others, while Sally is a girl who is always thinking of herself and never thinks of anyone else. As we join the girls we hear Mary say:

"With Thanksgiving so near it would be fun to help some poor family who isn't as rich as we are. Don't you think it would be fun, Sally?"

"Indeed I do not. Why should we waste our money on other people. Our fathers work hard for the money they earn. Indeed I don't," said Sally in a mean way.

"That's just like you. Sally. You never think of helping anyone out yourself because you're too proud and afraid that you might lower your position," Mary said.

"Do you think I want to spoil my position? No. indeed! I have too much pride. Oh. there's my mother calling. I guess I have to go to lunch. Think over this silly idea. Goodbye for now. I will see you later."

"Goodbye." said Mary, rather glad that Sally is gone.

She continues to sit on the porch and as she sits there she thinks, "Girls like Sally shouldn't be rich. They don't know what it is like to be poor and how it feels, but it would be nice to help some poor family. Oh. here comes Shirley Brown. I'll ask her what she thinks I should do."

She calls, "Hello, Shirley! I am glad you came over, because I have something that I would like to talk to you about." "Hello. Mary! what's bothering you?" said Shirley, "you look as though you lost your last friend." "Shirley, I have been talking to Sally. I told her I wanted to help some poor family and she said that she wouldn't waste her money helping anybody. Will you and your folks help us to get up a basket for that poor family that live on the other side of town? You know whom I mean.'' "I'll be glad to help you and we can have a motto too, such as Think not only of yourself but of other people who are less fortunate than you." "That's swell, Shirley, let's get to work now.''

Two weeks later we see two very proud and 'happy girls tiptoeing up the pathway of the Parker family's old and fallen down home with baskets on their arm. As they reach the porch they set the baskets down and put a little card on top. They ring the doorbell and run and hide. When the door is opened there is only the baskets with a white card on top on which is written. "Our motto: Think not only of yourself but of other people who are less fortunate than we." On Thanksgiving this family was proud to know two of the richest families in town, because on this card was signed, "Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Thompson and Mary, and Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Benson and Shirley." So you see, this pledge or motto really helped some poor family to be happy on Thanksgiving.