Acting Fire Chief Corey Smedley – “That’s pretty simple for me. I’m thankful for my faith, my family and fire. More specifically, I’m thankful for my crazy faith, my loving family and this wonderful profession of firefighting – the great community I can serve in and the excellent, energetic and professional individuals in the fire service.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Kristen Ward – “I’m thankful for my family and all of my co-workers and how compassionate they are with the people we serve here at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Diego Delgado – “I’m thankful for being at a time and space where I can have all my family together – both mine and my husband’s – that brings me lots of joy.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Sheriff Dana Lawhorne – “I am thankful for my wife Linda, our three daughters, two grandchildren and two nice son-in-laws. I’m thankful for my best friend Tim Gleeson and I’m thankful that I get to lead an agency of women and men who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving. It’s truly an honor.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Jackson Fannon, 4 years old – “I’m thankful for my Daddy and Mommy, my Mimi and Pop-Pop, and my house, my school and my friends.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Shawn Banks – “I’m thankful to be here in good health and able to spend some time with the people I love.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Bill Clayton – “I am thankful for a loving wife and family and my health.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Mollie Abraham with 11-month-old great-granddaughter Mollie Roudik – “I’m thankful to be alive and well at 93 and still functioning fairly well and that I have a younger person who carries my name. We are a part of a wonderful family.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Brian Boisse – “I am thankful for my loving Mom and Dad.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Police Chief Mike Brown – “I’m thankful everyday I get up in the morning for the blessings I receive from my family and friends, including my APD family and the community of Alexandria. My wife and I love this city and the people in it and I am thankful for that.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Bolivian exchange student Juan Carlos Medina – “This is my first Thanksgiving. I’m thankful to be able to study here, living with a wonderful family and for my friends at T.C. Williams.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Heidi Vanessa Long – “I am very thankful for my family and friends.”
Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Irene Blair – “I am very grateful for my blessings that are too many to count – my loving and kind husband, for the internet that allows me to communicate with my loving and gracefully aging parents while they’re still alive, for my siblings, nephews and nieces, and I thank the Lord for the patience and strength He gives me every day to keep on smiling until the sun goes down. I’m grateful for everything.”
