What are you thankful for? Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 26 2009 05:44 AM It's time to give thanks.

Today the nation celebrates its ancestry, remembers its origins and pauses collectively to reflect on individual blessings.

From health to prosperity, and American freedom to the bonds of family and friends, it's time to focus on the positive and be grateful.

In light of that Thanksgiving Day tradition, the Herald asked some Central Texas leaders what they are most thankful for.

"For life itself. I'm thankful for all of the goodness that Killeen has experienced this past year and I think we've been very prosperous so I'm thankful for that."

Tim Hancock, mayor of Killeen

"... being an American soldier and part of a great Army family here at Fort Hood with the Central Texas community."

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood commander

"I'm thankful for all the blessings I've been given and the chief one of all is good family, good friends and good associates. We're all blessed above what we deserve if we're just wise enough to recognize it."

Harker Heights police chief Mike Gentry

"I am thankful for so many things, my wife, my children, my family. I am also thankful that I am part of the larger KISD family in its entirety."

Robert Muller, Killeen ISD superintendent

"I am thankful that I have a chance to work for the city and make it better. I am thankful for having 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and everyone of them is a new joy when they come along."

Wayne Hamilton, Nolanville city councilman

"I'm thankful for our military and their spouses who are here without their loved ones. We're all praying that they return safely home."

Bill Kozlik, Harker Height Chamber of Commerce president

"I am most thankful for my family. As I write this I am sitting in a hospital waiting room waiting on my grandson Logan to be born. He is our second grandson. Cameron Turner, our first, is 18 months old and lives in Austin. We are blessed to have two beautiful daughters, two amazing son-in-laws, and soon we'll have two wonderful grandsons. This is the time of year that we think about things that we are thankful for, but I am thankful for my family every single day."

Dr. Rose Cameron, superintendent of Copperas Cove Independent School District

"I am thankful for the many things going on in the city that will make a positive difference for our citizens."

Judith Hetherly, mayor of Lampasas

"It is important that during this time of our combat operations as well as in the aftermath of the

Nov. 5 tragic incident that we take the opportunity to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. I always say that you have to develop a plan to 'share' quality time with your friends and families during the holiday season – not just spend time with them. Finally, I am reminded that the Good Book says, 'Be still and know that I am God' – I take that to know that things will work out in the end."

Col. Bill Hill, Fort Hood garrison commander

"In reflecting during this time of year, I would say there is a continuum of blessings to be thankful for; and at the top of the list I would include my faith, family, health, freedoms and the ability to serve others. These are directly correlated to any blessings in my life."

Bobby Ott, deputy superintendent of KISD

"I am thankful we live in the city of Belton. We could live in lots of places not so nice as this city."

Jim Covington, mayor of Belton

"I am thankful for my family and my friends and of course I'm always thankful for good adoptions."

Stacie Sherva, Killeen Animal Control supervisor

"I'm thankful for all the city employees here at the city of Killeen and all they do for the citizens each and every day."

Glenn Morrison, assistant city manager for the City of Killeen

"The thing I am most thankful for is the men and women of our armed services because if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be able to enjoy the wonderful thanksgivings we have every year.

I am also thankful for having my family close to home, and I am thankful for the city of Harker Heights being in good shape going into the new year."

John Reider, Harker Heights city councilman

"I'm thankful for the freedom we have in our wonderful country and the soldiers and their families for the sacrifice they make to keep it that way, and such loving family and friends."

Betty Price, Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce vice president

"I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in our country, for my family and for my health and the health of my family."

Spencer Smith, Harker Heights city councilman

"Our daughter went into pre-term labor a couple of weeks ago … We're thankful our daughter Kelly has continued to hold off on delivery." This Friday she will be at 29 weeks. I'm excited to welcome my third grandchild and second grandson, Daniel Bruce Wilkin, soon.

Bell County Judge Jon Burrows

"I am thankful for the health I got at my age ... and everybody's health as well."

Skip Matthews, Nolanville city councilman

"I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of an organization that is trying to make my community even better."

Monica Hull, Copperas Cove Economic Development Center marketing director

"I am thankful that I live in a community that embraces, supports, and honestly cares for the soldiers and families of Fort Hood. Central Texas is the Army's premier example of a true military community."

Command Sgt. Maj. Keith L. Seidler, Carl R. Darnall Medical Center senior noncommissioned officer

"I am thankful to lead and work with an extraordinarily competent and professional hospital staff who are dedicated to our patient care mission and restoring trust in Army medicine."

Col. Steven E. Braverman, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center commander

"Thankful for the privilege of being a United States citizen, soldier, and the command sergeant major for III Corps and Fort Hood. I am humbled to lead soldiers and be part of the great Central Texas community."

Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Coleman, III Corps and Fort Hood senior noncommissioned officer

"I am thankful for God waking me up every day, I am thankful for my girls being with me. Although I only had 17 and a half years with my wife, I'm thankful for every second of that time. I thank God every day for my soldiers and the entire Rugged Brigade."

Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence W. Murphy, 36th Engineer Brigade senior noncommissioned officer

"I'm thankful that all of our soldiers can enjoy this holiday reunited with their families. It is a tradition that exemplifies the best of the American way of life that they spend so much time defending. May God bless them, their families and our nation."

Lt. Col. Dan O'Rourke, 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade senior noncommissioned officer

"I am thankful for the strength of our families – parents, children, spouses – many of whom are doing double duty at work and at home so that our soldiers can protect our nation in far-away places during repetitive deployments. They have become the rock foundation of our Army.

I am thankful for the dedicated and professional soldiers and civilians I get to work with everyday – dedicated citizens who get the job done under any condition.

Finally, I am thankful to be from a nation and a state where the citizens recognize and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices made by the military members and their family."

Col. Donald MacWillie, U.S. Army Operational Test Command commander

"I am most thankful for my beautiful wife Ingrid, my two wonderful kids, Paris and Xavier, and all the magnificent troopers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment."

Col. Reginald Allen, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment commander

"Personally, my wife and children. It is they who give meaning and perspective to this journey we call life."

Col. Benton Danner, III Corps and Fort Hood public affairs officer

FROM OUR HEROES OVERSEAS:

"Thanksgiving is a time to reflect. I am thankful that I have a family that understands what it really means to serve our nation. Our devotion to duty as a soldier is a direct reflection of our love for our God, our nation, our freedom and our family."

Col. Knowles Atchison, 13th Sustainment Command deputy commander, deployed to Iraq

"This one is easy; I am thankful for my family and the support they have given me throughout the years, especially during deployments. My parents have taught me to be a good person, and my wife Sonya, and children Joshua, William and Kristina have taught me to be patient and unconditional love. With lessons learned from my father, mother, wife and children, I strive to be a good leader and to take care of my soldiers like a family. So you see, I am thankful for my entire family. Happy Thanksgiving, and God Bless."

Col. Gust W. Pagonis, 13th Sustainment Command support operations officer, deployed to Iraq

"I am very thankful that God has blessed me to have a lovely family, my wife Teresa and two children, Danielle and Fredrick Jr. As a military leader, I am honored to lead, coach and mentor soldiers while serving in Iraq and to assist soldiers and their families. This day is a day of thanksgiving and it's all about taking care of soldiers and our families even though we are deployed away from our loved ones."

Col. Fredrick Brown, operations assistant chief of staff, deployed to Iraq

"I'm thankful for family at home and for my family that I'm serving with here in Iraq. I thank each member of our team for their commitment and service, as we are separated from our families and friends. I want to wish each and everyone a blessed and happy Thanksgiving."

Command Sgt. Maj. Mark D. Joseph, 13th Sustainment Command senior noncommissioned officer, deployed to Iraq