Each year when the time comes for us to write the comments for this editorial space, we find ourselves looking around the community and the many, many things we can direct our thanks.

We can remember when Andrew Norfleet, the founding publisher, was still at the helm, he enjoyed so much to sit and look at the community and to be so thankful to call this his home.

Likewise, we have always been so proud to call this our home and the citizens of Russell County have been so great to us and our family.

We sincerely hope the most dramatic part of this economical crunch is over, and we will soon see improvements.

Many people have felt a sincere economical blow but all of us here realize Russell County is far better served that many of the areas across this country.

We can  truly be thankful this Thanksgiving we live in such a christian and caring community.

To have friends, neighbors and family that we can depend on. To have a neighbor that will come and pick us up when our car won’t start or to run across the yard and borrow that cup of sugar. Those things are important.

We should be very thankful for those businesses that provide employment. We know many have had to cut back and some have had cut a number of their employees. But, we should be very thankful those businesses that have the skills to re-organize and remain for those still employed.

While the material things we can look at within our community are important, that are so many other things so much more important.

It is our opinion the number one thing that deserves our thankful prayers are all of our men and women in our armed services. Without our freedom, we cannot even imagine what a day would be like.

We may not be able to have that big fancy turkey this Thanksgiving. We may have to settle for a bologna sandwich, but we can be so thankful we still the freedom to decide what what we can afford, when we want to eat and where.

May sound simple to you but stop and think all around the world of the people that do not have that choice.

This Thanksgiving let’s be so thankful for our freedom and for the men and women that continue to protect it.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.