I always feel slightly uneasy when saying that phrase, but I think its appropriate to still say it. Why you ask? In Grenada, Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the 1983 Caribbean and American military intervention in Grenada. A joint military force arrived in Grenada on Oct 25th to restore stability to the country following the deaths of then Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and some of his colleagues. Depending on the person you speak with, it is either referred to as an intervention or the opposing invasion.
Its hard for me as an American (whose against our country going into others and taking over, oops did a Peace Corps Volunteer just voice her political opinion?) to celebrate this holiday with a country who is split down the middle on "invasion" or "intervention". Just the other day I had a man stop me on the street after he saw my Peace Corps shirt and say "Its about time you Americans leave us alone, we are making it just fine." But on the other hand, I think its my civil responsibility to be here in Grenada to show locals there are Americans who aren't coming in to take over their country, but rather work alongside each other for the common good of all.
Although the day is marked by some formal ceremonies, overall the holiday isn't really celebrated largely. There are no pilgrims, turkey and stuffing. OMG stuffing, my mouth is watering. Anyways, the holiday may not be celebrated to the extent the American Thanksgiving Day is, but we did get the day off from work, which is cause enough to appreciate the holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving Grenada!
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