It's a day to honor those who blazed trails into innovative new territory.
There are many different kinds of Pioneers to talk about as well: those who braved the Atlantic in order to find Religious freedoms, those who found new ways of keeping us safe and protected, finding new medical procedures and cures, finding and charting new territories and land, and so on.
Who we are today was brought about by those pioneers who came centuries before us - our ancestors who carved out a better living for themselves, wanting the same for their descendants.
Christopher Columbus was a pioneer of his day - wanting to reach new routes to China and the Indias for trade. He found the Caribbean islands, and eventually Flordia - ushering in a new settlement.
(Note: I should credit the Vikings for the discovery of the America's first, considering they found Newfound-land for trade and other commerce. It's a technicality.)
Once Spain had found the States (as I will heretofore call them), the English knew it would be prudent to have a colony founded for themselves.
"In 1607, we sail the open sea, for glory, god and gold and -"
The Virginia Company.
A joint company of businessmen (okay, rich, wealthy, men) formed the Virginia Company in the hopes of starting a colony and using the gold and silver found to repay those who invested in it. It was a grand idea at the time - a pioneer effort for those wanting to build a better life.
Almost a hundred years later more pioneers would go on to found the beginnings of the Western half of the American continent.
In 1846 the "Mormon Migration" had begun.
As with other before them seeking religious freedom, the newly formed church began the crossing to reach the outer territories outside the rule of the new United States.
With hundreds of people joining in the trek West to escape religious persecutions (as their ancestors who came over from Europe and other countries) - we honor those who make the journey. They who suffered deprivation, loss of homes, illness, and often death.
We give thanks for those who came before us - who paved the way to religious freedom.
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