search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts TikTok Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts TikTok
  • Sign In
  • Join Today
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Infographics
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor Newsletters
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • JOIN

Damato of the Day Is ... "A Time to Give Thanks"

By Rick Damato
November 24, 2008
A few months after his inauguration as our first president, George Washington issued "Presidential Proclamation Number One,” declaring November 26, 1789 as a national day of “thanksgiving and prayer.”

A few months after his inauguration as our first president, George Washington issued "Presidential Proclamation Number One,” declaring November 26, 1789 as a national day of “thanksgiving and prayer.” In the proclamation he voiced his personal conviction that "it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God." After that onetime proclamation, the tradition did not become a national holiday until it was proclaimed so by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

As we prepare to stop as a nation to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a good time to stop and take stock of the many things for which we can all be thankful. For me, there are so many things to be thankful for I can scarcely list them all. I have the love and support of my family and good friends; two awesome jobs that challenge, entertain, and reward. There is one thing, however, that I am thankful for that most folks in our country would take for granted: The roof over my head.

I think most of us who work in the roofing industry take for granted just how important the work we do is to our fellow countrymen. Shelter is one of the most basic of all human needs: air, water, food, shelter - pretty much in that order.

I do not expect the world will ever stop for a minute, much less a day, to give thanks to the ones who risk much to furnish the roof over their heads. In fact, we work in one of those trades that seems to be perennially underappreciated. Well, I for one give thanks for the great good work produced by the roofing industry. Not just because this is where I have made a living for nearly 35 years, but because (with the exception of a couple of really bad camping trips) I have never lacked for shelter in all of my years on the planet. Not one night without a roof over my head. Thanks.

Share This Story

Rick damato update
Rick Damato is the editorial director of Roofing Contractor. He has held a number of posts in the roofing industry since 1974 and has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1981. He can be reached at 770-331-7858 or on Twitter @RoofsByRick.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Blog Topics

Damato of the Day

Guest Blog

Recent Comments

Outstanding insights on regional growth

Metal Roofing Safety

Comment

This is such an important topic that doesn't...

Great read! It is a topic that is...

Manage My Account
  • Join Roofing Contractor
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An aerial view of a weathered brown barn with an exposed-fastened metal roof and SnoGard EF with optional ColorStrip installed.
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Planning Snow Retention for Exposed-Fastened Metal Roofs

  • A roofing contractor stands in front of a house
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Winter Cash Flow Strategies for Roofing Contractors

  • A finished comercial roof with a white coating
    Sponsored byFlashCo

    Best Practices for Allocating Scarce Labor Resources: Don’t Forget the Accessories

Popular Stories

Image from the Recommended Practices for Controlling Asphalt Exposures report

U.S. Shingle Shipments Fall 13% in Third Quarter

contractor on roof

IBHS Sets 15-Year FORTIFIED Limit for Shingle Roofs

shingles in four seasons

ARMA Challenges IBHS 15-Year FORTIFIED Roof Limit

Events

July 28, 2026

How Top Home Services Companies Turn Every Conversation Into Predictable Revenue

On Demand In this webinar, we'll outline how top contractors are turning every conversation into predictable revenue by coaching every comfort advisor visit, not just the ones a manager rides along on.

September 24, 2026

The 7 Promotes to Grow Your Roofing Business

On-Demand Most roofing owners are great at the work. Knowing how to communicate what you do, why it matters, and what sets your business apart is just as important.

This session breaks down the 7 Promotes every roofing owner should know. From your personal story and value proposition to your hiring pitch, each one helps you communicate more clearly with homeowners, employees, and potential hires.

View All Submit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • JOIN TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing