Charles E. "Chuck" Maier, 33°
489 Jasmine Street, Laguna Beach, California 92651–1615

When I was a lad here in Laguna Beach, California, during the 1930s, Thanksgiving was a very big deal. Very often we were in church on a weekday, which was special for a Sunday Christian type of kid. Both Mom and Dad prepared several weeks ahead of the holiday with special foods and festive decorations. M.G.M. Studios would have been proud of my mother's splendid table and, given the chance, might have filmed, in living color, its huge roasted turkey, two kinds of dressing and potato, corn on the cob, green beans, rolls, breads, garnishes, two kinds of cranberry sauce—just to mention the entree.

I will leave the multi-splendored desserts to your imagination. Bringing yet more food for starving beach folk, family and friends came to our home in their Packards and Model-A Fords from such far-away places as Pasadena, Santa Maria, and Long Beach.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, I began to hear the phrase "Turkey Day" in place of "Thanksgiving Day." Being on the slow side of dense, I had to ask what that was all about. One person described it as a great feed over at his Aunt Sophie's place. Another mentioned some of the good things which I have pictured in the first paragraph. All seemed to be viewing this special Thursday feast through the eyes of children with empty stomachs. Everyone knows that from the day of my birth, I have loved a good meal! But even as a kid, I knew that t-u-r-k-e-y does not spell t-h-a-n-k-s. So what does make the difference?
Come again with me to the days of yesteryear. When I was old enough, Mom allowed me to light the Thanksgiving table's candles, quite a thrill for a budding pyromaniac. If we were really fortunate, Uncle Morgan, a Methodist minister, would offer thanks and the blessing. He had a word for each of us, as we gathered at the table, and it was there I came to believe that breaking bread together symbolizes God's love for us.

As a child, I am sure I valued the food on my plate more than the grace or blessing. But children grow up. They grow beyond "Turkey Day" to a deep and soul-felt sense of "Thanksgiving." At least they should. In a sense, every day is Thanksgiving Day. We should be grateful for every meal we consume. Yet we have times and seasons for giving special thanks. I remember dark meat, dressing, cherry pie with homemade ice cream. I also remember wooden kitchen matches, lovely candles, and Uncle Morgan beginning the prayer with "Dear Lord, we now return to Thee with thanks..."

Just "Turkey Day"? No way!

Charles E. Maier was a U.S. Marine during the Korean War and is a veteran of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign and a member of the Chosin Few. Raised in 1954 by Laguna Beach Lodge No. 672, he is the founding Chaplain of Orange County Daylight Lodge No. 833 and Irvine Lodge No. 841. Since 1995, he has served as Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery, York Rite, California. He was Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of California, 1987–88. After graduating from a major seminary in 1960, Father Maier served as a missioner with the Navajo Nation in Arizona and as a pastor in small parish development in California. In 1980, he was called into the hospital ministry as a chaplain and therapist, working with alcoholism and substance-abuse patients. He began active retirement in January 2000.