(Now with Extra White Meat, Dark Humor, and Zero Autopen Pardons)
If you ever needed proof that America still produces grit, greatness, and golf shots so pure they might make Arnold Palmer high-five THE Ohio State great Jack Nicklaus from heaven — this Thanksgiving weekend delivered.
Four days packed with turkey pardons, political fireworks, patriots on the field, and Michigan fans who — by divine intervention — behaved long enough after losing to Ohio State to share cigars and steaks with THE Chuck and his Michigan frenemy US Army Ranger Sgt John.
Time to tee it up.
WEEKEND LESSONS TEED UP
(Nov 26–30, 2025)
Lesson 1 — The Turkey Pardon, the Autopen, and the Reset on the Tee
(Wednesday, Nov 26)
President Trump opened Thanksgiving the classic American way:
- 🦃 Pardoned two turkeys
- 🦫 Delivered a full speech with zero autopen assistance
- 🔪 Looked like a guy who could actually carve a bird without causing a national emergency
Meanwhile in Delaware, Biden reportedly attempted to pardon three turkeys, but the autopen malfunctioned and absolved Hunter’s accountant instead. Happens.
Trump’s ceremony hit differently — Melania at his side, real humor, real presence, real leadership.
Zero deepfakes.
Zero handlers.
Zero Weekend at Bernie’s choreography.
Just a man, two turkeys, and the most aerodynamic hair in political history.
Leadership Takeaway:
Never outsource your signature to a machine. Especially on poultry.
Lesson 2 — Crisis, Clarity, and Calling Out America’s Haters
(Nov 26–27)
Wednesday night brought tragedy: two National Guard members were shot near the White House during “Operation DC Safe and Beautiful.”
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving morning.
The suspect?
An Afghan national who arrived during the 2021 withdrawal fiasco and received asylum this year.
Trump’s response was the political equivalent of a center-cut 320-yard drive:
- Freeze immigration from unstable nations
- Reevaluate green cards from 19 “countries of concern”
- Review all Biden-era asylum approvals
- Freeze Afghan immigration requests
- Consider deporting the suspect’s family
He went from pardoning turkeys to grilling bureaucrats in one afternoon.
Ilhan Omar & Zohran Mamdani — The “Gratitude Optional” Club
While Trump honored troops and mourned a fallen Guardsman, Ilhan Omar and Zohran Mamdani used Thanksgiving to criticize the very nation that rescued them.
Then came Trump’s Sunday truth bomb:
Should Omar be removed from the U.S. if she committed immigration fraud?
Media meltdown.
Cable news fainting couches.
Predictable outrage.
But wrong?
Not exactly.
Leadership Takeaway:
When people rescued by America spit on America, you don’t need sensitivity training — you need a spine.
Lesson 3 — Golf, Grit, and the Chip Heard ’Round the World
(Nov 28–30)
As Washington hyperventilated, DJT did what leaders, dads, CEOs, and warriors do when life gets loud:
He hit the golf course.
And then came the shot.
A chip so clean it made Brooks Koepka break character and say something emotional.
Koepka called it: “Superb.”
Here’s the clip:
👉 Trump Impresses Brooks Koepka With Superb Chip Shot – “Winning Is Always Nice”1
And yes — Trump played multiple rounds.
Because the man believes in reps.
You don’t get that chip shot by sitting in a beach chair arguing with clouds.
Leadership Takeaway:
When in doubt, swing. Golf rewards courage, not caution.
Lesson 4 — Ukraine, Venezuela, and the “Don’t Make Me Come Down There” Doctrine
(Nov 26–28)
Trump spent the holiday juggling foreign leaders like a Bruno Mars halftime show:
- Ukraine peace plan revealed with major Russian-origin input
- Call with Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro
- Rumblings about Cuba next
And your boy Chuck?
Already daydreaming about cruising a ’57 Ford Fairlane down the Malecón, Deployment cigar in hand, Wagon Wheel blasting, socialism fading in the rear-view.
Leadership Takeaway:
Great negotiators don’t sweat — they make other countries sweat.
Lesson 5 — The Flyover Heard Across the Midwest + Ohio State Beats Michigan
(Friday, Nov 28 and Saturday, Nov 29)
Chuck arranged a tour the day before for his Michigan frenemy and friends of Ohio State’s ROTC building, including the museum chronicling the origins of the Best Damn Band in the Land.
We even accessed Ohio Stadium — the Shoe itself — and visited the Archie Griffin statue, the only two-time Heisman winner in history.
We wrapped up at the Varsity Club, smoking Deployment Freedom Cigars with neat pours of Woodford Reserve on the back patio.
Then came kickoff on Saturday.
Before the opening whistle, The Game delivered a flyover that shook the Midwest.
Michigan’s band looked like they thought they were being drafted into Space Force.
Then came the beauty:
OHIO STATE BEATS MICHIGAN.
Michigan was gracious enough to let us park on their golf course — perfect turf for THE Chuck’s arrival.
Inside the stadium, Chuck and his Michigan frenemy Sgt. John sat in a scarlet-and-gray dominated section while Buckeye grit sealed the victory.
After the game?
America happened.
A Michigan alum named Anthony and his family came over — class acts.
We shared DeploymentCigars.com cigars.
They brought steaks with a warm solo stove fire.
We talked through 121 years of rivalry lore.
And yes — in HBO’s Michigan vs. Ohio State: The Rivalry2 — you’ll see THE Chuck driving his H1 Hummer with Michigan Mike on the hood like a modern-day in full Woody Hayes “This is WAR” fashion.
That’s the rivalry.
That’s America.
Beat each other senseless for four hours…
Then break bread — and smoke — like brothers.
Leadership Takeaway:
True rivals respect the game.
True Americans respect each other.
Wrap-Up: Winter Storms, Rosie the Riveter, and an MB Roland Old-Fashioned
On the drive back through a winter storm, Sgt. John and I pushed through the snow like two men late for a tee time with destiny.
Later that night, we landed at the home of true American hero Lt. Col. Mike — a West Point grad and U.S. Army Ranger.
The fire cracked.
The bourbon warmed the soul.
Sgt. John rolled his eyes at my 97th golf pun of the weekend.
I fired up a DeploymentCigars.com Rosie the Riveter, honoring the women who built this country with their hands, grit, and that “We Can Do It” spirit.
Then came the Old-Fashioned:
MB Roland Old 2nd District bourbon.
One sip, one puff, one toast to the men and women who keep the fairways — and the country — free.
REMEMBER, PATRIOTS:
- Reset like Trump schooling a socialist — with a smile and a sledgehammer.
- Drive like you’re paired with Brooks and Jack — straight, long, and slightly terrifying.
- Finish like Ohio State in the 4th — decisive, disciplined, and leaving Michigan tears on the turf.
Stay low.
Swing hard.
Live grateful.
And always pack a cigar —
Because the rough is full of crybabies who three-putted life.
— Chuck Cordak
“Life’s too short for shanks and socialism. Bring a driver, a cigar, and an attitude — the rest is just details.”
Now if you’ll excuse me…
I’ve got a Thanksgiving-sized tee time with common sense —
and a ’57 Ford Fairlane waiting in Havana.
FORE!
Footnotes
- Breitbart – Trump Impresses Brooks Koepka With Superb Chip Shot – “Winning Is Always Nice”
https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2025/11/29/trump-impresses-brooks-koepka-with-superb-chip-shot-winning-is-always-nice/ - HBO Documentary – Michigan vs Ohio State: The Rivalry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk11QW7lS3Q
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