From Cynthia Groopman, Long Island City, NY:

Election Day, Thanksgiving and Veterans Day are all connected in a very important way. If it weren't for our veterans, we would not have the freedom to vote and to have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. By fighting, soldiers are protecting our freedom and making our world safe for democracy and free
of tyranny.

Thanksgiving is every day. We thank God every morning upon rising for our physical
functions, for creation, and for everything we eat and drink. It was a wonderful idea of the Pilgrims to set aside a day a year for Thanksgiving. But now it has become a day for turkey and parades.

Even Veterans Day is not as hallowed as it used to be, and Election Day is sometimes a day when apathy is demonstrated.

We must take the commercialization out of these November days and teach our children
as well as adults their true significance.

It's the same with Christmas and Hanukkah. People commercialize Christmas from the end of November. Tree lightings and the sale of ornaments, cards and gifts neglect the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas should be about Christ, peace, loving and giving.

The significance of Hanukkah is based on the miracle of oil that lasted for eight days and the victory of the Maccabis over their oppressors. These events 2,000 years ago--not playing with tops and dreidels and giving gifts--show God's presence in our world. Our sacred days are about historical events and should be commemorated as such.