Thank You Notes: What Three Villagers Are Thankful For

This Thanksgiving, some members of our community took the time to write a "Thank You" note on Patch to express their gratitude. Take a look at what they had to say:

From the Civic Association of the Setaukets and Stony Brook:
"We send out a sincere thanks to our wonderful residents – for their generous support to our Association and so many other civic, cultural, service and charity organizations. You make the Three Villages a very special place! Happy Thanksgiving!"

From "A Thanksgiving Day Reflection" by Suffolk Legis. Kara Hahn:
"As we collectively raise a glass this thanksgiving to toast all that we have to be thankful for, let us pause to reflect upon the elements that are vitally important to our lives, but rarely get the gratitude they deserve. Let us remember the service of the firefighters, emergency medical technicians and police officers who stand ready to help us in times of crisis. Let us honor the sacrifice of those current and former members of the military for helping us to live without the strife and fear that too many throughout the world face. Please remember the volunteers who, as we have seen during Hurricane Sandy, are willing to put their own lives on hold to help rebuild a neighbor's. Let us be mindful of those who lost everything during this past year due to natural or manmade calamities and let us hold tight the promise of optimism. However, most of all let us be thankful for the time we have to spend loving our families and laughing with our friends. Time is perhaps our most precious natural resource and no one can really predict when it will run out for us. Make the most of each moment and be thankful for everything that you do in each of them."

From "Thank You SBFD" by Donna Fabel:
"I've never had occassion to call on the Stony Brook Fire Dept until Sandy. My son and I got caught out in the storm. With trees crashing around us, wires dangling and in the pitch black we sought refuge in the village fire house. They could not have been nicer. They fed my son, offered him drinks and played movies for him. When safety allowed they drove us home. So, this Thanksgiving I would like to thank the SBFD for their help during the storm and for all they do to make our community a wonderful place to live."

From "Thanks Three Village" by Diane Fitzgerald:
"I would like to thank all the athletes, their families, friends, and alumni that came out in force to support our Coach Jerry Vessichio of the Ward Melville High School Cross Country, Track and Field program in his recent bid to retain his position as the 18-year veteran Head Coach. We send our children off to school hoping they will be taught by teachers such as Coach Vessichio. He is the perfect blend of educator, coach and man that all students should have the benefit of being mentored by during their school career. His positive yet firm style has created student athlete champions who have gone on to universities across the country and have grown into productive members of our society. His methods instill dedication, hard work and perseverance into his athletes. He manages to weave life's lessons into his program and has taught my son and many others that no matter what may go wrong there is always another race to be run and another chance to make it right. I am most grateful to have him here in the Three Village School District. I would also like to thank our school board and our administrators for having the vision to see just how valuable an employee Coach Vessichio is."

"When I consider the overall landscape of my life, I am deeply aware of the many things I have to be thankful for. I live in a peaceful place blessed with natural beauty and kind people. I have the freedom to spend my days working with talented and dedicated people in service to the community that is home for me and my family, and I have been rewarded with the ability to give back to a world that has given me so much. But to whatever extent my contributions to the various organizations and causes I support has been helpful, my gratitude to one person must necessarily be greater. Because whatever I am able to do for others is only because of the effort of my wife who supports me, indulges my numerous eccentricities, cares for our children, and provides a home for me to return to each night. Whatever burdens I take on become hers as well, and she adds them to her own and bears them cheerfully and with great strength. So this year I am feeling particularly thankful to my wife Linda: a wonderful mother and role model to our two daughters, a loving friend to so many, a champion athlete, and an amazing wife."

From "A Simple Message of Thanks" by Patch Local Editor Christine Sampson:
"For my family – Thank you always for your love and support. Distance changes nothing. For our readers – Three Village is such a great community. Thank you for continually inspiring me to be the best reporter I can be."

For what are you thankful this year? Log in to Patch and tell us in the comments.