1621 AND THE LONG ROAD TO A Deeper Look at Tha When most of us imagine the “first Thanksgiving,” we picture Pilgrims and Native Americans crowded around a long table with turkey and pumpkin pie. The scene people hold in their minds is neat and familiar, but the reality was rougher and, in many ways, more interesting. That 1621 harvest wasn’t even called Thanksgiving; it stretched for three days instead of one. About 50 Pilgrims who made it through the brutal first year joined roughly 90 Wampanoag men to mark the season. The food on hand was what the land and sea offered: venison, corn, mussels, and other staples of the region. Wampanoag hunters supplied much of the meat, while the Pilgrims shared from their meager harvest. One figure often left out of the story is Squanto, a Patuxet man kidnapped by traders years earlier. By the time he returned to his people, he had learned to speak English, which enabled him to become the bridge between cultures. He acted as a translator and taught the Pilgrims how to grow the crops they depended on for survival.
For one special soldier, the mission is clear: Provide comfort, lift spirits, and stand by his crew, four paws at a time. Raider, a 1-year-old Lab mix from an animal rescue in San Diego, isn’t your typical recruit. He’s about to make waves as the first full-time morale dog on a Navy ship, and he could transform life at sea for hundreds of sailors. With a wagging tail and unwavering loyalty, this pup is ready to serve his country in the most heartwarming way. The nonprofit Shelter to Soldier has been training shelter dogs as service animals for veterans since 2012, with a mission to “save lives, two at a time.” Though the organization partners dogs with individual veterans, it began bringing therapy dogs to Navy ships for special training outings and made a discovery. Crew members felt a special connection with the pups and kept asking, “Can we take this dog on deployment with us?” Raider is the first canine cadet for the job. He was adopted from Labs and More Rescue and has been deep in training since April. This new furry crew member has been working hard on learning to use a “potty patch” on board and special safety gear like booties for his paws and eye protection. Along with getting his sea legs, he’s learning various commands that will help in his role, which is “designed to support the emotional wellness, morale, and mental health of sailors and Marines,” according to the nonprofit. Raider will join a team of five handlers and live MEET THE NAVY’S FIRST FULL-TIME MORALE DOG Anchors Aweigh, Belly Rubs Ahead
After that first gathering, it would be another 200 years before the country embraced Thanksgiving as a national tradition. Persuaded
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full time on the USS Makin Island in his own room. Crew members will get their wish, and any time the base deploys, he’ll be along for the ride. Known for his goofy personality and affinity for belly rubs, he’s already bringing cheer to the base and inspiring others to follow in his pawprints. The nonprofit is busy training morale dogs for other ships.
“Everyone is just really excited to have a furry
companion to go with them when they’re underway,” Director of Operations and Training Nicky Moore said, adding, “What makes you happier than a dog?”
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