Every day, I find myself more grateful for and more appreciative of those who came before me.  One of those was George Washington.  217 years ago, he issued a proclamation declaring our first National Day of Thanksgiving, concluding “[We] beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions…; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”