Second- and third-graders from Kathy Stanley’s elementary school class took time off from making drawings of turkeys, Pilgrims and sailing ships last week to share why the Thanksgiving holiday is so special.

Brady Willis, 7, explained that Thanksgiving was all about religious freedom.

“We celebrate because the Pilgrims came to America when the king wanted them to go to his church instead of theirs,” he said. “They came on a sailboat called the Mayflower.”

Wesley Crain, 9, said the Pilgrims ran away on a boat because the king wouldn’t let them do what they wanted.

“They built houses from logs and made friends,” he added. “They wore tall black hats with a little white rectangle in the middle, black pants and a white collar.”

Alyssa Ludtke, 8, added that the Pilgrims were tired of taking orders and wanted to go to a different country.

“That’s why we give thanks, for our freedom and to have fun with friends. Eat turkey, too.”

Farriss Jokinem, 9, ventured his opinions of the English monarch’s character.

“The king wasn’t a very nice fellow,” he said. “The ride to America took a long time time and they were sick and when they arrived they built houses and planted stuff. They wanted a special dinner and invited the Indians.”

Parker Currier, 8, delved more thoroughly into the American Indian connection.

“When they got here, they sat down with their new friends, the Indians, and had fish, geese and pumpkins for dinner,” he said. “Oh, and the ladies made pies out of berries.”

The menu for that first Thanksgiving was much on 8-year-old Michael Maddux’ thoughts as well.

“They were celebrating the first harvest after they got here from a country called London,” he said. “They ate fish, ducks, turkey, corn and a bunch of other veggies. I don’t think they had ice cream.”

Annie Saltee, 8, has been studying up on her history.

“The Pilgrims sailed here 400 years ago ’cause the king wouldn’t let them have their own church. The men built houses, hunted and the women took care of the kids. It was a hard life and only half stayed alive so there was plenty of food on Thanksgiving.”

Zippy Leonard, 7, said she knew precisely why this holiday is so important.

“We’re giving thanks for the Native Americans who helped us get together and have fun with our families,” she said. “I know that Pilgrims wore dresses, aprons and always had a hat on so they wouldn’t get wet.”

Thanksgiving is a special time for students at South Whidbey Elementary School; the day is set aside for parents to share a special dinner with their children.

This year was no different, as great heaps of turkey, mounds of mashed potatoes and all the fixins’ were served up in the school cafeteria last week by principal Jamie Boyd and assistant principal Scott Mauk.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or jvanderford@southwhidbeyrecord.com.