Thanksgiving is the time of year when we break bread with family or friends and, probably, watch a football game or a parade. Yet we should take time to reflect on the history of this holiday, especially for Native and Indigenous peoples. Although the spirit of cooperation behind the “first Thanksgiving” did not last, its intent endures and is important to our work at the Forest Service as we strive to meet our trust responsibilities with tribes.

We should also take time to reflect on the joys in our lives and, as I reflect on what I am grateful for, it is the exemplary service you provide every day.

I am thankful for our continued efforts to serve our nation through work related to our Wildfire Crisis Strategy: This year, we accomplished over 100% of our hazardous fuels reduction work and conducted more prescribed burning than any prior year in the history of the agency. I am thankful for our dedication to being an employer of choice as we rebuild and retain our workforce through many efforts, from a national hiring team to our equity-centric efforts around hiring resource assistants and 1890 scholars to our work around a wildland firefighter job series.

As I reflect on what I am grateful for this year, I also reflect on the trials we are working together to overcome. I am grateful for the work being conducted by our housing team as it seeks to take advantage of partnerships and other mechanisms to provide affordable housing for our employees. And I am grateful to the work we are doing with the Department of the Interior, OPM and Congress to enact a permanent pay increase for our wildland firefighters.

I am humbled for the opportunity to do what we do here in the Forest Service and the opportunity to share in your company—because each of you works hard to ensure people continue reaping the benefits healthy working forests and grasslands provide. Together, we continue to provide millions of Americans with clean air, drinking water, world-class science, outdoor experiences and jobs.

However you celebrate, please take time to think of those who will continue working, serving and protecting our forests and grasslands. I am especially grateful for and want to provide special recognition to our firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders and employees who will be on duty. Thank you for your hard work, commitment and dedication to our mission. I wish all of you, your families and friends a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Editor's Note: Provide feedback about this column, submit questions or suggest topics for future columns through the FS-Employee Feedback inbox.