"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have... requested me "to recommend to the People...a day of thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts hat many signal favors of Almighty God, especially affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being ...That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection ... for ... the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer on us.  And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us to all, whether in public or private stations, perform our several and relative duties properly...to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws...to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord.  To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue..."
- George Washington, 1789.

Dear Patriots,

I think that it is a distinct honor to read the actual words uttered by George Washington.  His speeches are all particularly instructive, because he touched
upon many of the basic principles and beliefs upon which this Nation was founded. 
In the above proclamation, President Washington reminded Americans of one of their inalienable duties -  the duty of every nation to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.  This duty is the reason that all of our public assemblies have opened with prayer since the our Nation's inception.  This duty is the reason that Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving Day since 1787.
Many Americans seem to have forgotten (or never been taught)
that they have inalienable duties, as well as inalienable rights.  It seems that even our U.S. Supreme Court has either forgotten, ignored or never been apprised of this inalienable duty.  I would venture to guess that our Supreme Court justices were never taught anything about inalienable duties, since our schools no longer "promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue," which they were established to do.  In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court forbids them to do so.

Let us take time this Thanksgiving Day not only to visit with
family, but to perform our inviolate duty to our "great and
glorious" Sovereign by acknowledging His providence,
protection and favor.  Let us "beseech Him to pardon our
nation and other transgressions." 

Let us also commit ourselves this coming year to "perform
our several and relative duties properly and punctually
to render our national government a blessing (not a curse)
to all People." 

Happy Thanksgiving Patriots!