Thanksgiving. The image conjures up iconic images. Native Americans and Pilgrims seated together, sharing a meal is perhaps one of the quaintest and most familiar.

Another, more modern American one is the classic Thanksgiving Day image.

The vertical image features generations of smiling faces leaning into the frame from the sides of the image. The simple table is set and at the head of the table the matriarch and patriarch of the family are putting the golden brown turkey into its place at the table.

American artist Norman Rockwell created the painting in the early 1940s. It was one in a series called The Four Freedoms.

Rockwell was inspired by the 1941 State of the Union Address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt who was attempting to inspire his nation that would soon be at war.

Roosevelt said that humans throughout the world should be able to enjoy the four freedoms: Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Rockwell&8217;s iconic images depicting these, including the famous Thanksgiving Day scene, were used to help sell war bonds.

And while today, logically, the images can be considered nothing more than a bit of wartime propaganda, they still stir emotions today.

The Rockwell image depicting Freedom from Want has become the stereotypical Thanksgiving scene.

Upon seeing it last week, Rockwell&8217;s artistic hand had me painting mental images of all the myriad of things for which I am particularly thankful this year:

4A family that is largely blessed, in good health in tightly knit.

4Knowing that I live in a country in which Rockwell&8217;s freedoms are still realities: freedoms of speech, religion, from want and from fear.

4The taste of a Coke-flavored Icee on a hot summer day.

4Our armed forces, many of whom are young teens willing to lay down their lives to protect our freedoms at home and abroad.

4Working with a group of smart, dedicated people who like what they do and work together as a team.

4That my job allows me to meet an incredibly diverse cross-section of the community and that no two days are alike.

4Living in a community in which people speak to one another on the street and despite our differences, generally understand that we&8217;re all more alike than different.

4The unknown genius who first thought about frying dill pickles &8212; and the local restaurants who carry on that legacy.

4Good teachers. From school teachers to just folks who don&8217;t mind sharing their knowledge, learning is one of life&8217;s greatest pleasures.

4That even in our increasingly complex world some children can still come up with some wonderfully innocent &8212; and sometimes funny &8212; sayings.

4Community volunteers who give of themselves such as Andrew Calvit and Duncan McFarlane with Habitat for Humanity and Pat Cox with the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.

4That our community isn&8217;t overpopulated so that we can all easily see the beauty of nature all around us.

4Knowing that if I am ever faced with an emergency our area is protected by excellent law enforcement officers and great firefighters such as David Freeman, Stan Owens, David Hugg, Chris Gibson, Joe Garrity and many others &8212; all of whom have always been nice to myself and our staff as we&8217;ve covered fired. Great respect for all of them, what they do and how they do it.

4A community technologically connected enough to allow you to wirelessly send e-mail miles from the city limits, but still down home enough to be able to know store clerks by name.

4Living in a place in which you can enjoy a great, gourmet meal out in one place and drive across town and enjoy southern fried chicken with a slice of homemade chocolate meringue pie.

4Each of our newspaper and Web site readers.

Happy Thanksgiving and a wish that we all continue to enjoy Roosevelt&8217;s four freedoms in the coming year.

Kevin Cooper

is associate publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchez democrat.com.