In his final Thanksgiving proclamation, President Obama reflected on the Wampanoag Native Americans' welcoming treatment of the pilgrims nearly 400 years ago and suggested the story of the first Thanksgiving should serve as an example for Americans today.

"This history teaches us that the American instinct has never been to seek isolation in opposite corners; it is to find strength in our common creed and forge unity from our great diversity," Obama said on Wednesday, just hours before he pardoned his final turkey at the White House.

"We must reflect on all we have been afforded while continuing the work of ensuring no one is left out or left behind because of who they are or where they come from," he said.

"Each year on Thanksgiving, the selflessness and decency of the American people surface in food banks and shelters across our country, in time spent caring for the sick and the stranger, and in efforts to empathize with those with whom we disagree and to recognize that every individual is worthy of compassion and care," Obama continued. "As we gather in the company of our friends, families, and communities — just as the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag did centuries ago — let us strive to lift up others, promote tolerance and inclusiveness, and give thanks for the joy and love that surround all of us."

2016 Thanksgiving Proclamation by mglennonexaminer on Scribd



