Blessings aplenty to remember

on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for fellowship with family and friends. It's a time for food and football. It's also a time for counting our blessings.

We here at the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, like our neighbors, friends and readers, are thankful for our own families and the good health and good times we share with them. As a business that has served the community since 1947, we are thankful for you, our readers, who continue to make us the No. 1 source of local news. It is a privilege, and a pleasure, we do not take lightly.

It is also something we could not do without the talents and dedication of our staff and the diligence of our free-lance writers and other independent contractors, all of whom team up to bring the news to your doorstep three times a week. Additionally, we are thankful for our own printing press and new production facility, which allow us to get that news to you in a more timely fashion.

We are also grateful that we live and work in such a beautiful and vibrant community, where people are willing to help each other out and lend a hand when needed. We are especially thankful, as we have watched the news in recent months, that we have not had to endure any of the horrendous natural disasters that have befallen other parts of the country and, instead, have been able to provide support and supplies to those affected.

It is easy to take our freedom for granted, and we remain deeply indebted to, and thankful for, the military men and women who valiantly protect that freedom. On this day of thanks, we particularly remember the family of Sgt. Kurtis Arcala of Palmer, who died in Iraq in September. Their sacrifice is one that no family should have to endure.

We are grateful to the families of all local servicemen deployed to a war zone, and join the community in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.

Closer to home, we are thankful for the &#8220smaller” things that enhance the quality of life for all who call the Valley home. Countless volunteers and public servants work tirelessly to make the community a better place to live. Our emergency responders keep us safe, and our educators equip our children to be productive adults.

Those who hold elected office have, perhaps, the most thankless jobs of all. Their willingness to serve is reason enough to be thankful for them. Likewise the commitment of regular citizens, who often provide suggestions and oversight that fine-tunes solutions for the betterment of all.

Today, and every day, we have so much to be thankful for. May you each find joy in counting your own blessings today. Happy Thanksgiving.