By Worcester P. Bong

November is the month in which Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in America as a federal holiday. Families and friends gather to express gratitude for good health and well-being. Earlier in the month, on November 11^th, (also a federal holiday) is Veterans Day, celebrated to honor and express thanks to all U.S. military veterans.

During Arizona’s early territorial years, the Governor at the time would issue a proclamation of Thanksgiving observance. In the November 23, 1867 issue of the Arizona Miner, the proclamation was printed in its entirety. The beginning read as follows, “To the People of Arizona, the President of the United States having designated Thursday, the 28^th instant, as a day of general thanksgiving and praise to God. Now, therefore, I, Richard C. McCormick, Governor of the Territory of Arizona, do recommend that the day be observed in this new country, where, even amid unusual exposure and trial, the pioneer is constantly reminded of the goodness and mercy of Him who controlleth the destinies of men.”

As conflicts with Native Peoples in central Arizona diminished and the territorial capital was relocated to Phoenix in 1889, abandoning Fort Whipple was considered. Once Arizona achieved statehood in February 1912, citizens, grateful for Fort Whipple, were confronted with a February 1913 announcement that the fort would be abandoned. Five years later, it reopened as U.S. General Hospital Number 20, treating returning WWI soldiers suffering from respiratory ailments, particularly tuberculosis (TB).

Honoring Thanksgiving as an expression of thanks, Prescott area restaurants advertised traditional Thanksgiving meals in the local newspaper. Staff and patients at Whipple Barracks were treated to a special Thanksgiving feast.

While giving thanks is highlighted in November, throughout the years, opportunities to express gratitude occurred between the citizens of Prescott and the soldiers and staff at Fort Whipple/Whipple Barracks.

When the US Army turned over the Fort Whipple/Whipple Barracks hospital to the US Public Health Service in February 1920, a letter of thanks by the soldiers to the people of Prescott was printed in the February 11, 1920 edition of the Prescott Journal-Miner. An excerpt from the letter read, “     …How can we better acknowledge our indebtedness to you for your boundless kindness? How can we ever repay our debt for such noble work in our behalf? No, this is impossible! You have devoted your time unselfishly to make us happy by all means, and this work has been invaluable to us.”

In April 1921, flowers from local organizations in Prescott and Phoenix were received by patients at Fort Whipple hospital. Grace M. Sparks, secretary of the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to these local organizations on behalf of Fort Whipple. The April 17, 1921 edition of the Arizona Republic printed the letter as follows: “Accept our thanks for your courtesy in planning to send the flowers to the patients at Whipple and other sanatoria hereabout. If the boys at Whipple had their choice of gifts, flowers would head the list. We have a visiting committee of flowers whenever they are obtainable. The boys are gathered from every corner of the United States and courtesy from other places than Prescott is deeply appreciated by them.”

Continuing to honor veterans, every February during the week of Valentine’s Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) celebrates “National Salute to Veteran Patients.” Occurring at all VA Medical Centers, including Prescott, this event pays tribute to Veterans, raises community awareness about the medical center and encourages local citizens to visit hospitalized veterans.

Although these two months emphasize thankfulness, every day of the year is an opportunity to give thanks.

“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also available at www.archives.sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles/1. The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-277-2003, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.