Pilgrims, there are lots of things for us all to be thankful and not just for this Thanksgiving Day.
Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, just to pick an argument with our northern colleagues, the first Thanksgiving between the Pilgrims, colonists, settlers and Indians was held on Dec. 4, 1621 at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Va. I wasn’t there of course but historical reports from the period are detailed that the spread was magnificent and everybody enjoyed themselves.
The joy of the annual feast with all kinds of turkeys and chickens and hams and all sorts of vegetables was certified by a Virginia-born figure, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president born in Staunton, Va.,. son of a Presbyterian minister. Before moving into the White House as a Democrat he was governor of New Jersey. Before that he was president of Princeton University.
Wilson signed Proclamation 1256 for Thanksgiving Day 1913 on Oct. 2, 1913.
He wrote: “Therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Thursday the twenty-seventh of November next as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, and invite the people throughout the land to cease from their wonted occupations and in their several homes and places of worship render thanks to almighty God.” I checked around and could find no local personages who remember that day.
It can be reported he also wrote his own speeches and was pretty good at it.
As Alexandrians and other northern Virginians enjoy their pumpkin and mincemeat pies, the thankful lists are quite large. In no particular order here are a few from this quarter to consider.
The Wilson Bridge is operating with grand success. It’s been widened and often allows all kinds of charitable walks and runs.
Other appreciations can include the following:
An Alexandrian is back as a member of Congress from the 8th Congressional District. Ambassador and former Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer succeeds Boston-born Jim Moran, former Alexandria mayor now completing two elected decades in the House of Representatives. His legacy is large.
During the first few months of the year the city police department’s vice squad was busy as if on loan from Las Vegas. Although no official reports were released at Wheeler Avenue, a number of “working girls” were discovered visiting Old Town and other spots. Business was booming.
Alertness by the distinguished coppers rousted about 20, according to documents and those in the know. The professionals pleaded guilty and paid some fines. All apparently were taken into custody, some posted bonds because they were from California, New York, Atlantic City and North Carolina. Others were released on their own recognizance — they promised to appear in court. They did and paid fines for their illicit conduct around Duke Street and upscale hotel facilities.
Success of the vice arrests was ended without public knowledge or announcement. The diligence ended abruptly. Naturally, no one wants to believe there is any crime within Alexandria’s confines, but some sort of acknowledgement could have been made. On this wonderful holiday it’s not necessary to mention the hoteliers who obviously and unwittingly allowed their nicely appointed rooms to be used. No guesses, please.
It can be reported that no juvenile delinquents, I mean underage boys and girls, were involved in the bawdy house operations and disruptions. Neither does this report include similar activities in Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William or Loudoun County. These jurisdictions spend lots of time and jail space for domestic assaults, car-jackings, abductions, drug offenders and once in a while, a murder or two.
No offense is intended to the grand people of Alexandria with this report of some titillation. The city is unable to equitably tax the personal services activities, but all can rest assured that the Commonwealth collects, sooner and not later, at least throughout the courtrooms.