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'It's an All Out War on Thanksgiving … But I am Going Shopping Later That Evening'

One retail worker who will be at a store open on Thanksgiving says "it's not a big deal, and not any of anyone's business."

Stores will be open on Thanksgiving—what’s the big deal?

That attitude is shared by many who are looking forward to shopping for deals and even some who work retail. They simply don’t agree with the outrage some have expressed about stores being open on the holiday in what is being called the “War on Thanksgiving.”

Here’s what people had to say about stores being open on the holiday on Patch Facebook pages across Maryland.

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“I think some might say they are thankful to make money any day they can,” wrote Kevin J. Kohler on Severna Park Patch’s Facebook page.

“Thanksgiving is a very special holiday for us, and we will spend all day together, and several hours after dinner, they will be watching a movie and I will slip out the door to go to work,” wrote Carol Ann Ambrozewicz on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page. “Not a big deal, and not any of anyone's business.”

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“We live in a country where not everyone celebrates the holiday,” wrote Brendan McCool on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page.

“I have no problem with stores being open. Plenty of police officers, firefighters, doctors and nurses have always worked,” Michelle Talbot Wile wrote on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page. “There are some people that don't celebrate Thanksgiving too. If people want to shop, then shop. If you don't, then don't.”

“Most retail establishments that are open on Thanksgiving day/night make those plans known to staff well in advance and ask employees to volunteer,” Heather Simpson Jacobs wrote on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page. “They are then rewarded with usually higher pay/holiday pay etc... In today's difficult economic climate, many staffers willingly sign up for the hours.”

“I don't need a holiday to determine which days with my family are ‘special’. I will work Thanksgiving night and I'm okay with it,” wrote Stephanie Pettigen on Havre de Grace Patch’s Facebook page. “My kids and husband understand … My team at work is happy. There are several pay incentives, fun contests, and plenty of food!!!! I have no problem working Thanksgiving or Black Friday. Dinner is just a little early each year.”

“If people volunteer to work the holiday, that's one thing. But telling people that the holidays are ‘no requests off’ days is ridiculous,” wrote Mary Walsh McKaig on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page. “I worked in retail for several years, and my manager NEVER worked weekends or holidays ... she always had the assistant managers work those days.”

“I feel terrible for these people who have no say in the scheduling, no tenure in requesting certain shifts, forced obedience to 10-12 hour shifts and split shifts,” wrote Christopher Michael Miklasz on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page.

“It sucks some people have to work but at least they have a job,” Jake Bapisteller wrote on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page.

“It's an all out war on Thanksgiving … But I am going shopping later that evening,” wrote Michelle N Erik Flory on Dundalk Patch’s Facebook page.

“Selfishly, I think that it is handy, wrote Jenny Ford on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page. “But I would HATE having to work on T-day.”

“I want to say that think it's horrible, and that stores being open all day on Thanksgiving flies in the face of all that the holiday means,” wrote Lydia West on Parkville-Overlea Patch’s Facebook page. “But it sounds hypocritical … I will be at the Ravens game that day, and the employees at the stadium will be away from their families all day as well to accommodate 70,000+ fans to watch a game. We love football and we love our Ravens, but at what cost? So who am I to say that Kmart shouldn't be open all day?”

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