Hopeful Thanksgiving 2012 - GENTLEMEN'S AVENUE

Gentlemen,

As we approach the American holiday known as Thanksgiving the painting Freedom From Want is a great symbol of irony because it depicts a great Thanksgiving meal in the historical context of global chaos. The great Norman Rockwell completed a series of four paintings for the Freedom Series. The other paintings are: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, and Freedom from Fear. The paintings were a response to a speech given by President Roosevelt and traveled across the country to support the sales of war bonds. The Freedom From Want appeared on the Saturday Evening Post cover on March 6, 1943.

The world was at war and depending where you lived this problem began in 1939 and in 1941 the United States officially entered the war. So by 1943 manufacturing of goods took a back seat because the materials were being used to support the war effort and everyone was affected at some level by the war. Either economically or family/friends fighting a war in a distant country. Now do you understand the iconic Thanksgiving painting depicting a happy family with a grand ol turkey in an ideal dinner setting is really a stark contrast to what most U.S. families were going through. It was a symbol of hope.

Today many Gentlemen and their families may be experiencing the same economic difficulties or have family/friends that are serving in the armed forces. Maybe the price was greater and the ultimate sacrifice was made in giving their lives for country.

The hope for a better today and tommorow still exists. We may not have all we WANT but we should be thankful for what we HAVE. Not just one day per year but on a daily basis because a hopeful tradition must continue for a better future.

Mr. M