Give Thanks This Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving.

Many local families will gather around tables tonight, at home in Hauppauge or at relatives houses, to celebrate Thanksgiving. Before a traditional feast of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, yams and more begins, there is a moment for a family prayer or moment of silence.

In that moment, there is time to reflect and give thanks for those blessings received in 2010.  Whether it's a new family member, graduating high school, having a job or a safe home, take a second to pause and think about the good times. Patch caught up with Hauppauge's elected officials and community leaders to ask them what they are grateful for this year.

State Sen. Brian Foley:

"This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the men and women of our Armed Forces who are serving overseas to protect the freedoms we hold dear.  I would like to extend best wishes to them for a safe holiday and for a quick return to their families.  I would also like to wish the residents of the 3rd Senate District a happy and health Thanksgiving."

State Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick:

"To the people of Smithtown, Brookhaven and Islip,

This year I am very thankful for my health and my family and their good health–I think after that everything else is secondary. I'm thankful that I have my health and my family and am looking forward to going back to Albany so we could return this state to a level of prosperity, so that everyone able to work can find work and that we can go back to building a better community.

I'd like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and a happy and healthy holiday season."

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan:

"I am thankful for the health of my family and for living in such a wonderful community. I grew up in Islip and have raised my family here, and I continue to be amazed by the kindness and generosity displayed by my neighbors. Even in these difficult economic times, everywhere I turn, people are giving back to their communities. I wish everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving spent with loved ones."

Smithtown Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio:

"I'm thankful that my parents immigrated to the United States and provided them with the opportunity to live a fruitful life and raise a family, which gave three sons to the military. I am thankful that I was born in the greatest country in the world, which has allowed me so many choices for the direction in my life. And, of course, I am thankful for the opportunity to have been the supervisor of the great town of Smithtown for the past 33 years."

Suffolk County Legis. John F. Kennedy, Jr.:

"My wife and I are married for 35 years, I have four healthy children, I just became a grandfather this year for the first time–I'm a very blessed man. I'm fortunate I have a wonderful partner in my wife, I have a good staff that has been with me for a long time now, they're seasoned warriors, they do a good job on the behalf of my constituents and they are great campaigners. It's not often that an elected official can look and point to that kind of support because nothing that I ever accomplish is done without them being there behind me. I have good opportunities here with the office to serve my constituents, I have had a measure of success I think but there is still an awful lot more to do.

I wish a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and holiday season to all the residents of the twelfth legislative district, I look forward to serving you in the upcoming year."

Paul Borowski, civic minded Hauppauge resident:

"I am thankful that the Hauppauge community is as close knit as it was when we first moved here over 40 years ago. The Hauppauge community members are there to celebrate the triumphs and are there to console through tragedies.  

I am thankful that the Hauppauge School District administration, Board of Education and staff continue to be as dedicated and committed to have the best education possible for our children. They have, in addition, been true partners with the Hauppauge community with the issues that impact us and that is very much appreciated.  

I am thankful for the tireless efforts of our local public officials in continuously trying to make our community a better place and in preserving the current impacted areas from the years past unfortunate consequences. Our voice is being heard and I am especially grateful for the dedication of our Suffolk County Legislator, Town Supervisor, State Assemblyman and State Senator. At the federal level and more macro level, our congressman and U.S. senators have been supportive of our initiatives as well.  

Last but not least, personally, I am thankful to my wife, Kathy, and daughter, Amanda Rose, for their continued support of my efforts as a Hauppauge community advocate to make our community a good place to live, raise a family and honor our elderly."

Stephan Krompier, president of Northwood Field Civic Association:

"I wish everyone in the community a happy holidays. I'm thankful I can live in a place like Hauppauge the schools are great, the people are great. We are very fortunate."

Ann Macaluso, president of Hauppauge Board of Education:

"I am so thankful for my three wonderful children and my husband, for the incredible privilege of learning from my students in Brentwood, for the trust and support of the Hauppauge community in allowing me to serve them on the Board of Education, and for my fellow board members who are the most amazing group of educational leaders to work with!  Happy Thanksgiving Hauppauge!

If you are a Hauppauge residents who would like to give your thanks to the community, e-mail sara-megan.walsh@patch.com to be added throughout the day or comment below.