Thanksgiving has always been the pinnacle of the holiday season for my family and me – a day to gather with loved ones, free from the pressures of gifts or decorations. There’s a special joy in sitting around the dinner table, surrounded by familiar faces, as we share stories that allow us to relive cherished memories and create new ones, bridging the past and present. From my childhood days to where I am now – watching as my own family grows and thrives, seeing friends advance their paths and ambitions, and embarking upon this incredible new adventure to launch Victory Cruise Lines with a team professionals I have long admired – this Thanksgiving brings my life full circle, much like the journeys we take on the water.

My family’s Thanksgiving gathering is a time rich with sentimentality: a chance to catch up, reflect, and take stock of where we are and where we want to go. With each passing year, some familiar faces may be missing, while others join us through marriages, relationships or births. Each story shared feels like its own voyage, a narrative of change and growth. Whether it’s new jobs, love gained or lost, or new places explored, Thanksgiving serves as a touchpoint – a chance to reconnect with our roots and with each other. It’s an occasion that grounds me, giving me a sense of continuity and belonging.

As Victory Cruise Lines prepares to explore America’s Great Lakes and our neighboring Canadian waters, I’m reminded of how this fascinating part of the world is so deeply connected to our nation’s history. Each city or town that we visit is a part of a larger, shared voyage – a voyage of culture, heritage and traditions. Whether you’re celebrating in Chicago, Cleveland, or any of the other vibrant communities around the lakes, the spirit of Thanksgiving comes alive as each place contributes to the tapestry of a holiday that unites us all.

Family, Football and Thanksgiving: A Great Lakes Legacy
What seems to link these personal stories of love and connection, tradition and celebration together for me is a sense of nostalgia. It’s the realization that through generations – from my parents to theirs, all the way back to 1863 when President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to unite a divided nation – families and friends alike have cherished the comfort and sentimentality of this time of year.

Nostalgia surrounds not just the Thanksgiving meal, but the many traditions that have built up around it: the turkey trots, the parades, and of course, the football. While professional football began to expand in the U.S. in earnest in the early 20th century, it wasn’t until 1934

that Thanksgiving and football became truly intertwined, when the Detroit Lions hosted their first Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears. Other cities on the Great Lakes, including Cleveland, home to the Browns, soon followed suit, each establishing their own strong holiday ties to football.

Founded in 1919, the Green Bay Packers stand as our nation’s oldest continuously operating professional football team: one of the NFL’s most beloved and successful franchises, with numerous championships including the first two Super Bowls. The Packers have become a familiar face on Thanksgiving Day, often facing off against their longtime rival, the Lions. One of the two teams’ most memorable matchups came in 1974, when the Packers suffered their only loss of the season to Detroit, a game that further solidified the Thanksgiving rivalry in football lore.

The deep-rooted love for these games speaks to the powerful connection between sports and the people of these Great Lakes communities. Thanksgiving Day football has become a cherished tradition that unites generations with the warmth of family and community.

Thankful for traditions and new horizons
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of how deeply traditions shape the journey of our lives. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our shared experiences, connect with loved ones, and embrace the festive spirit that brings us together. From the warmth of family gatherings to other beloved traditions, like watching a Thanksgiving parade, bundled up against the cold, or enjoying a spirited holiday football game, these moments resonate deeply with me, as I know they do with all of us. I am so thankful for the opportunities to celebrate these traditions, and for the remarkable journeys that await us all.