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HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE WITH ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR Ben Block Jones II, PCC 246 Highland Place Dr. Jackson, MS 39211-5909 (601) 927-8479 bejonesii@bellsouth.net |
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DEPARTMENT ORDER #7, 2018-2019
By the authority vested in me as Commander of the Department of Tennessee with Alabama and Mississippi, I hereby issue this order.
1. Exactly seventy-four years after George Washington’s proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed on October 3, 1863 that the last Thursday in November be set apart to be observed by all citizens as a day of thanksgiving: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. . .” He further stated that: “I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”
a. In that same spirit let us enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving this Thursday, November 22th, 2018, with family, friends, and one another across our Department and let us all be thankful for all that we have.
b. As you give thanks around your dinner table let us remember to be thankful for our veteran ancestors and all veterans and serving military who have given their all in serving our country.
2. Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome our newest camp, President Andrew Johnson Camp No. 70 to the Department and congratulate them on their organizing efforts. They will hold a charter ceremony and lunch on Saturday, November 24, in the Brumley Library dining room of the General Morgan Inn in Greeneville, Tennessee. Brother who wish to attend should contact Brother Tim Massey at 423-525-4113 or 423-787-1000 for room reservations.
SO ORDERED on this, the 21st day of November 2018
In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,
/s/ Ben Block Jones II, Commander