On November 24, 1864, Union Lieutenant Samuel Nichols, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, prepared for the nation’s first Thanksgiving Day, as the fourth Thursday of November had been officially declared a day of celebration by President Lincoln. The morning, Nichols wrote, “dawned beautifully upon civilians and soldiers. Starting wildly from our slumbers at the unearthly sound of ‘Reveille’…we found ourselves with an appetite adequate for the occasion and fully equal to that usually demanded on that auspicious and chicken-stuffed day.” Still encamped at Winchester, Virginia, where two months before his regiment helped lead the Union Army to victory and seize the town, Lt. Nichols appreciated that he and his comrades were enjoying relatively peaceful duty. However, soldiers are a wary lot, especially combat veterans. They understand that the tranquility of a clear, crisp November morning can be very quickly shattered by the unpredictable nature of war. Most in the regiment, Nichols remembered, had opted to pass on breakfast so they could save their appetites for the much-anticipated Thanksgiving feast. But Nichols, being a veteran and used to having meals interrupted by the sudden call to action, wasn’t waiting until the official dinner time, which was 2:00 p.m. “At one o’clock, therefore, I dined in company with three of my companions. We all ate a sufficiency and had a good time.” No sooner had he finished his meal than the Yankee lieutenant’s cautious instincts were vindicated. The regiment received an order to be “in readiness to move at a moment’s notice.” In about ten minutes, he recalled, “we were moving at quick step.” They reached the destination at 6:00 p.m. only to receive yet another order to countermarch back to Winchester, where the column didn’t return to their bivouac area until 9:00 p.m. For many in the regiment, Thanksgiving came and went with no meal or fanfare and at great disappointment. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Such is army life, as any veteran will tell you. Besides the grind, the long periods of stifling boredom that are only occasionally broken up by the terrors of front line combat, perhaps the deepest sacrifice of national service beyond risking life and limb, is separation from loved ones for long tours of duty. The separation is especially felt during holidays like Thanksgiving. Even those troops not under fire know they are missing precious times with dear family and friends — times they can never truly reclaim. But Nichols’ unit was lucky, even if most of them lacked the foresight of their hungry lieutenant. Some in the regiment missed out on a hardy meal, but they did not have the experience of their descendants in the U.S. Army hunkered down 80 years later in the wet and cold and endless shelling and artillery tree bursts of the Hürtgen Forest. For the members of the 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, Thanksgiving Day, 1944 would be remembered as a preventable tragedy, courtesy of the high command’s misplaced attempt to bring a semblance of home to the men in the foxholes. The regiment was on the very front lines, acting as the tip of the U.S. spear, one that had snagged itself into the stubborn ribs of the Hürtgen Forest’s determined German defenders dug in among the expansive woodland’s dense foliage and frozen ravines. When 1st Lt. Boesch, crouched down in his hole, picked up the phone from HQ he was astonished to hear a cheery rear echeloner’s voice on the line: “Happy Thanksgiving! We’ve got a hot turkey dinner here for every man in the outfit.” The staff officer informed the lieutenant that the food was on its way to his company. Boesch couldn’t believe it. “Are you guys nuts?” he said with incredulity. “It’s almost dark and my carrying parties have already made the trip up the hill with rations and water. I can’t send them up there again. Besides, they can’t feed a hot meal in the positions they’re in now. Good God, they’re right on top of the Jerries!” Those were the orders, the staff officer said. And didn’t the men want a nice taste of home? Boesch shook his head in frustration before screaming into the handset, “I want to see them get three hot meals a day and a dry bed every night and a babe to sleep with, but let’s save the turkey until they can pull back where they can enjoy it!” Despite expressing fears to the battalion commander that the kind gesture might get men killed when the Germans saw them bunching up for their meal, the orders stood. Hot turkey meals were delivered to the men right on the front lines. Those delivering the meals had only the lowering darkness as cover, otherwise they were in clear line of sight of the Germans. As Boesch warned, German artillery and mortar shells soon rained down on the hapless GIs bunched around the turkey canisters to get their fill, killing many and wounding more. In 1978, a retired Major William Freeman who was with the 121st caught an interview with Gen. Jim Gavin, in which the young general confesses that the high command didn’t know what the GIs were dealing with in the Hürtgen Forest. He informed the general of what happened next, thanks to the misplaced gesture from the top brass. “Jerry turned all hell loose! Branded in my mind is position after position with men torn to shreds around busted up turkey canisters—as many as ten in one place.” In the same letter Freeman tries to unburden himself. “Hindsight says I could have stalled off the dinner and I doubt that the higher echelons would have known about it—but I didn’t. Granted that greater control could have been used all down the line… but dangle hot turkey to men in a cold, wet forest, that have had nothing but K rations, and it’s not that easy to keep them from bunching… “For many, many years after the war I would go to one of my relations for Thanksgiving dinner, and before I could touch a bite I would get up and go to the back yard and cry like a baby, I passed up a helluva lot of turkey dinners.” Two different American regiments, two different wars, two different enemies, two different Thanksgivings. The same sacrifice for country and each other. As the Holiday Season begins in earnest, let’s take a moment to reflect on those who walk the line so that we can enjoy one another without fear of enemies with malicious intent. Happy Thanksgiving to all who will be serving in dangerous, faraway places. We are thankful for you. * * * Brad Schaeffer is a fund manager and author of three books. His articles have appeared on the pages of Daily Wire, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, New York Daily News, National Review, The Hill, The Federalist, The Blaze, Breitbart, Zerohedge and other outlets. His best-selling novel, The Extraordinary, tackles the subject of living with a veteran father with PTSD as told by his autistic teen son. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Ice skaters are amazing. Despite how much skill and effort it takes to perform, the best ones make it seem as though it’s easy. But an ice skater’s routine is not the only way they can dazzle a crowd. The location of the performance can be just as breathtaking, if not more. Not sure what I mean? Then there is a good chance you have never had the opportunity to witness a drowned forest. A drowned forest, also known as ghost forests, looks like something out of a fantasy world. There are a few possible causes, like a rise in sea level. But the result is what leaves people oh-so curious about this phenomenon, especially when the water is frozen. It’s no wonder ice skaters like Luc Mehl simply can’t resist venturing out into these breathtaking spaces. Catch a glimpse for yourself in the video below! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luc Mehl (@lucmehl) “I love the novelty of skating around these trees! Choose your own adventure,” Luc writes in the caption of his post. “And it is refreshing to skate over shallow water after deeper bodies of water … just feels less vulnerable.” While you can find drowned forests throughout the world, this one in particular can be found in Palmer, Alaska. Want another look? The video below gives us a different, but just as magnificent, view! Would You Dare to Go Ice Skating in a Drowned Forest? These Mesmerizing Videos Will Show You What It’s Like! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luc Mehl (@lucmehl) “What a crazy cool landscape to skate in!!” someone shares in the comment section of the video, with another adding, “So glad you shared the sound.” “If nobody has given the camera person credit for skating around objects using peripheral vision while keeping the shot lined up,” a third person chimes in, “I’ll be the first.” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Frozen Wonderland: Ice Skater Glides Through “Drowned Forest” In Mesmerizing Clip appeared first on InspireMore.

Whether it’s a heartfelt ballad or a funky anthem, these tracks demonstrate the versatility of gratitude in music and the way it transcends personal boundaries to forge connections with audiences. Alanis Morissette’s introspective “Thank U” explores spiritual and emotional awakening through her characteristic raw honesty and sweeping melodies. Sly & The Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” redefined funk, showcasing Larry Graham’s groundbreaking slap bass technique while weaving a message of individuality and resilience. Bob Hope’s timeless “Thanks for the Memories” captures a nostalgic elegance, proving the enduring appeal of a well-crafted goodbye. The Flaming Lips’ “Thanks The post 10 Best Songs With The Word ‘Thanks’ In The Title appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

The lines we draw between species may be more for convenience than revealing sharp changes in intelligence.

A surveillance video recorded on the night of November 7 in an undisclosed area of Mexico shows two guard dogs barking loudly and howling mournfully while fixating on the left side of the screen. Moments later, a vertical, ghostly figure slowly glides into view. The animals barked furiously and howled in distress—behavior that would typically alert or scare off any ordinary passerby. Yet the figure remained eerily indifferent, neither slowing down nor speeding up, and showing no movement of its arms or other body parts. This calm, unchanging behavior has increased speculation about his supernatural origins. Some Mexicans were quick to associate it with La Llorona, a well-known ghost from local folklore often referred to as the Lady in White. This spectral figure is said to wander, mourning the loss of her children, and has been a source of spine-chilling tales for generations. Others saw similarities to the Fresno Nightcrawler, also known as the Fresno Alien. A cryptid that has made four notable appearances so far, two of them in California, one in Fresno and the other in Yosemite National Park. Fresno Nightcrawlers appear to be relatively short creatures (approx. 1.5 meters) with most of their height being made up of their legs as they possess an extremely small upper body. It is an extremely thin, white humanoid with no arms. Viewers also focused on the dogs’ pitiful howling, noting that their reaction seemed far more intense than one would expect from encountering a human. Some commented that the dogs appeared truly terrified, as though they sensed something beyond the ordinary. The video has fueled a wave of discussions, with many debating whether the figure is a supernatural entity, a clever prank, or something else entirely. The post Security Camera Captures Strange White Figure That Alarms Dogs appeared first on Anomalien.com.

In a startling series of events, multiple unidentified flying objects (UFOs) were reportedly sighted over UK airports, including Manchester, sparking widespread concern among aviation professionals. Despite vivid accounts and high-quality footage captured by witnesses, government officials have dismissed the incidents as drones, leaving many questioning the official narrative. The first reports surfaced online when a commercial pilot claimed to have spotted a metallic orb-like object while approaching Manchester Airport. According to the pilot, the orb hovered near the tarmac before ascending vertically at an astonishing speed. The incident was reported to Manchester Air Traffic Control, who allegedly dispatched ground vehicles to investigate the sighting. Spoke to @captainbiggalow & got photos they received from their colleges at Manchester airport. No metadata could be recovered, ELA good. Timeline clarified, object seen on ground (1) (2), reported to tower, ops vehicle investigates (3), orb shoots up and video taken (4). pic.twitter.com/HqRlsf10Cq — PNW MPA (@PNWMPA) November 27, 2024 Photos and videos of the mysterious object soon began circulating on social media, showing a shiny metallic sphere against a cloudy sky. Witnesses described the footage as some of the clearest visuals of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) seen to date. “This isn’t like the blurry videos we’ve seen before,” one witness said. “The details on this object are incredible, and it moves in ways no drone or aircraft should be able to.” The UK government has responded swiftly, categorizing the objects as “likely drones,” citing potential safety concerns around busy airspace. However, critics argue that the drone explanation falls short of addressing the peculiar flight behavior and the object’s rapid vertical ascent. Manchester Airport UAP/Drone floating inches above tarmac. Taken from inside the cockpit. Credit: Botsworth1985 “There’s no way this is a drone,” said one aviation expert who reviewed the footage. “The maneuverability and speed we’re seeing are far beyond the capabilities of commercially available drones. This needs a much closer investigation.” Some believe the “drone” explanation may be an attempt to downplay the incident and avoid further public scrutiny. The situation escalated after several accounts that initially shared the footage on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) were mysteriously deleted. “Every time credible footage like this surfaces, it seems to vanish,” one social media user remarked. “It’s almost as if someone doesn’t want us to know what’s going on.” Metallic orbs have increasingly become a recurring theme in UAP sightings worldwide. Reports of similar objects have emerged near nuclear facilities, military bases, and other sensitive locations, leading to speculation that these phenomena could be linked to monitoring or surveillance activities. While the UK Ministry of Defence ceased its dedicated UFO investigations in 2009, recent global developments—including whistleblower testimonies in the United States—have reignited public interest in UAPs. Aviation safety advocates and UFO researchers are calling for more transparency from the authorities, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into these sightings. Whether these objects are advanced drones, classified military projects, or something entirely different remains an open question. The post UFOs Fly Over UK Airports, Government Labels Them as Drones appeared first on Anomalien.com.

A new Palworld update is coming in December that will introduce its biggest island yet. Despite an ongoing legal dispute with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, Palworld maker Pocketpair is still hard at work bolstering one of 2024’s biggest games with new features. As we near a year since its early access launch, the survival crafting game reveals that its next region will be dramatically larger than the previous free update. Continue reading Palworld update will add “the largest and harshest” island in its history MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Palworld bosses, Palworld map, Palworld settings

It’s been a good year for Hooded Horse, the publisher behind Against The Storm, Cataclismo, Norland, and dozens of others. The biggest cause for celebration is no doubt Manor Lords - once the most wishlisted game on all of Steam, with each subsequent update, the early-access version attracts more players and plaudits. But there’s also Breachway, the sci-fi strategy game with flashes of FTL, Workers and Resources, which hit 1.0 this year, and the Command and Conquer-inflected (except with ants, rather than people) RTS Empires of the Undergrowth. In commemoration of a bumper 2024, the studio has put all of its biggest and best city builders and strategy sims on sale, knocking some of the genres’ heaviest hitters down to the lowest price ever. Continue reading Manor Lords, Against The Storm, and the greatest RTS games now cheaper than ever MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Manor Lords early access review, Best strategy games, Manor Lords system requirements

For me, Arcane Season 2 rates a solid eight out of ten. While Act 1 begins with a bang and ends with the high-stakes Jinx versus Vi moment we'd all been waiting for, Act 2 loses the momentum a little, and Act 3 feels rushed. My concern coming out of Episode 6 was that it felt like there wasn't enough time to wrap up all of Act 2's loose threads, and while Act 3 largely does so, it feels a little scattered. Rumors have swirled that the original cut of the finale clocked in at an hour and a half long, sparking disappointment as players consider, to borrow Sting's words, what could have been. Riot, however, has responded to those claims. Continue reading Arcane’s shorter finale isn’t a result of “corporate greed pressure,” Riot says MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list

Cozy games are the ultimate comfort food of gaming. They’re perfect to dive into right after beating games with massive open worlds or enduring stress-fueled competitive gaming.