Thank You!

The Lincoln Heritage Museum would like to thank all veterans, current members of the armed forces and their families for their commitment, dedication, and sacrifice for our country. In rememberace of this important day here is a letter President Lincoln wrote to a series of men expressing his gratituted for the soldiers who were fighting for the Union Army during the Civil War:

Messrs. George Opdyke, Jos. Sutherland, Executive Mansion,
Benj. F. Manierre, Prosper M. Wetmore Washington,
and Spencer Kirby, Committee. Dec. 2, 1863.

Yours of the 28th. ult. inviting me to be present at a meeting to be held at the Cooper Institute, on the 3rd. Inst. to promote the raising of volunteers, is received. Nothing would be more grateful to my feelings, or better accord with my judgment than to contribute, if I could, by my presence, or otherwise, to that eminently patriotic object. Nevertheless the now early meeting of congress, together with a temporary illness, render my attendance impossible.

You purpose also to celebrate our Western victories. Freed from apprehension of wounding the just sensibilities of brave soldiers fighting elsewhere, it would be exceedingly agreeable to me to join in a suitable acknowledgment to those of the Great West, with whom I was born, and have passed my life. And it is exceedingly gratifying that a portion lately of the Army of the Potomac, but now serving with the great army of the West, have borne so conspicuous a part in the late brilliant triumphs in Georgia.

Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause---honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle. Your Obt. Servt

A. LINCOLN

[2 December 1863, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol.7]