Thanksgiving is approaching, and a nation with so much in common looks more divided than ever. Let’s go back to an incredible, true story about the arrival of the Pilgrims, one that demonstrates their will to survive, work together, and prosper, traits that became the hallmarks of our nation. Here to tell us about this is author AK Patch. HOW DOES THIS STORY BEGIN? 1. The Mayflower crosses the Atlantic in October 1620, leaving England two months later than scheduled. They hit horrific storms. The 102 passengers are sick-sick and packed within the ship. John Howland, 21 yrs. Old, and an indentured servant to John Carver, goes up on deck during a storm and is thrown overboard. He’s able to grab onto a rope hanging over the side. He plunges deep into the cold waters, but is able to grasp the rope. The crews hauls him back aboard, and he survives the rest of the voyage to Plymouth. WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHN HOWLAND AT PLYMOUTH PLANTATION? 2. John Carver becomes first governor of Massachusetts. Many parents die, leaving children as orphans. Elizabeth Tilley loses her parents and relatives that first winter. 51 of the original 102 Pilgrims die that first winter. John Carver and his wife, childless, perish also, leaving John Howland as Head of Household. He is absolved of his indentured status and becomes a citizen with significant land holdings. 3. He marries Elizabeth Tilley at 17 yrs. old and an important American family is born. They have ten children and eight-eight grandchildren (Wow). Millions of American are descendants including Humphrey Bogart, Henry David Thoreau, Joseph Smith Jr., the leader of the Mormon Church, Alec Baldwin and Sarah Palin. 4. They both live until the late 1600’s in a period of great expansion, but also great unrest with the Native Americans in New England. Why is this story Important? 1. It is well for us to remember that we are the progeny of people who took great risks to create the country we have now. The nation is not perfect and we’re still learning, but we a commonality as Americans. We all derive from these people who emigrated from whatever country and fought to make a life here. We have more in common than not, and we should celebrate this and offer thanks for our bountiful lives. 2. A testament to their will to survive and our national commonality. About Allan K. Patch: Retired Navy Captain, historian, and author, Allan K. Patch’s family came over from England in 1623; 33 years before George Washington’s great