Thanksgiving 2001 will be different from those of the past.  The tragic terror attack on 
September 11th and our country's declaration of war on terrorism catapulted us into a 
new, uncharted era.  But as President Bush said: "We shall prevail," and prevail we will.


When we give our thanks and pray for guidance during Thanksgiving Day, we will, no 
doubt, be more acutely conscious of our blessings.  We will also be conscious of the fact 
that the two oceans that once protected us from foreign enemies before September 11th, 
can no longer be counted on.  We learned what many of our allies and enemies learned 
during WW II, that our homeland is also vulnerable.


On the positive side, however, as we become more familiar with our brave, new, 
vulnerable world, we will become stronger.  Not only that, but we will also become 
increasingly closer to all those whom we love--loved ones whom we may have otherwise 
been taking for granted.  What's more, our physical senses will take on a sensitivity such 
as we've never experienced.  We will listen and talk with measured wisdom.  And as for 
our inner emotions, they will become intertwined with those around us, and we will 
become increasingly aware of each other's trials and tribulations.   All in all, when all this 
happens, I'd sure hate to be in the shoes of those terrorists who, like the enemies from our 
past, misjudged the massive inner strength of our people.  


But as we venture forward into this new unstable era, let us not leave our hopes and 
dreams behind, because hopes and dreams are the currencies of the future.  And if there's 
any doubt about that, let us remember that it was the hopes and dreams of our colonial 
forbearers that gave birth to our great nation.  And oh, by the way, a sprinkling of good 
old-fashioned optimism wouldn't hurt either.    


Even though it may be seemingly difficult, let's all try to capture the rapture of this 
coming Thanksgiving.  And as Tiny Tim once said, "God bless us everyone."  And last 
but not least, as they say in Armenian, "Pahree Aghorjug" or "Bon Appetit," as they say in 
French.  

  
Joseph Vosbikian