Proud to be a Mayflower descendent

Thanksgiving, to me, is all about the Pilgrims and the celebration of what happened almost 400 years ago.

Every year it is a remembrance of their quest for religious freedom and it is also recognition of their spirit, fortitude and collective spirit. Only 51 of the 102 passengers survived that first winter.

That the framers of our Constitution, 150 years later, provided for the freedom of religion in our country’s most important document must have been influenced in some way by their collective spirit and inspirational journey to what would become the United States of America.

While most of us love the family camaraderie, the traditional food and possibly even the football game on this day, I am also proud that the prestigious Mayflower Society of Plymouth has confirmed that I am a descendant of John Mullins who sailed on that ship.

That John’s daughter, Priscilla, married John Alden, both of whom were also aboard, gives me bragging rights to having descended from three passengers.

I am proud of that and have much to think about on Thanksgiving.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 7:37 AM with the headline "Proud to be a Mayflower descendent."