Give thanks this holiday season Published Nov. 25, 2008 By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Charlene, Dominique and I hope you enjoyed a festive and wonderful Thanksgiving Day; turkey, ham, the trimmings, the aroma escaping from the kitchen and the flavors of that first bite - man I can't wait to dive into our leftovers. This is the most jovial time of the year, the holiday season, and Thanksgiving is my favorite. This time of year appears to bring out the best in mankind; we pause to give thanks for our blessings and set aside our differences to ensure those that are less fortunate are able to enjoy the holiday season. Yes, we're a nation at war and our economy is laboring; nevertheless, we have a lot to be thankful for: our health, family, the environment where we live and work and we live in the greatest country on earth - America. We should be thankful we are Americans, living in this majestic land of democracy and freedom. Yet we still have a lot of work to get done, we've seen this nation take one step closer to fulfilling Martin Luther King's dream, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." Two weeks ago I was TDY to Montgomery, Ala. After traveling all day, I decided to have dinner in the hotel. Exhausted from traveling, I sat in the hotel bar area eating dinner and watching CNN's "Situation Room" discuss the possibility of Eric Holder being appointed the next attorney general. As I sat watching, I noticed a little old lady gingerly approaching my position. She paused next to me as the discussion of Holder peaked her curiosity. As the discussion ensued, CNN displayed a photo of president-elect Barack Obama. I faintly heard a meek voice say, "thank you, thank you, thank you." I turned to get a glimpse of her, only to see her turn gingerly to walk five feet to a trash can, pull a trash bag from the garbage can, and replaced it with a bag which appeared twice her stature. I began to wonder about historic events; the civil rights movement, Kennedy's assassination or others, this elderly woman had potentially witnessed during her lifetime. And now, to see this nation rise up above its shortcomings and elect its first African American as president is simply incredible. Regardless of my political affiliation, I'm thankful I lived to see this historic moment. We're unsure as to what will happen in the next four years, but as an American, I must give president-elect Obama a chance. As you pause to give thanks and celebrate this holiday season, be thankful of how far we have come as a nation and the many Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coastguardsmen currently serving in harm's way defending and protecting this great nation. Charlene, Dominique and I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season. Team Travis as always; enjoy your weekend, be safe, make responsible choices and I'll see you around campus.