Thanksgiving 2014: Martin Sheen Honors Cesar Chavez, UFW & Farm Workers Who Bring Food to Our Table

Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table with your loved ones and reflect upon what you're thankful for. It's also the perfect time to remember the hard-working farm workers who help bring food to your table.

Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor Martin Sheen, who is also an avid supporter of the late Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers, recently wrote a touching letter on behalf of the United Farm Workers, remembering Chavez's crusade and urging the public to lend their support to struggling farm workers.

"I remember driving down the Pacific Coast Highway to Oxnard. I looked out of the window and saw men and women slowly going up and down rows picking vegetables that are served on our Thanksgiving table. I remember noticing their stooped backs and how hard they labored. And again I appreciated the work of my dear friend, Cesar Chavez. A man I consider a true hero, who spent his life helping the most impoverished. I continue to support the UFW and their work and hope you will too," Sheen wrote.

"I have been a supporter of the United Farm Workers since Cesar founded the union more than 50 years ago. My experiences with the UFW have been among the most exhilarating and meaningful of my life. I was at Cesar's side during his last fast in 1988," he explained. " I prayed with him, marched with him, joined in the grape boycott that touched our nation's conscience. I've been arrested at farm worker protests both with Cesar and with his successor, Arturo (Rodriguez)."

"Today, 21 years after Cesar's passing, I continue to be inspired by his legacy and all his union does to help farm workers. I am proud to help the UFW carry on the struggle to create a better life for low-paid agricultural workers and their families," he said.

Sheen's good friend UFW President Arturo Rodriguez recently shared a few stories of farm workers struggling during the holidays. "I was moved by these stories and wanted to help. I hope you will too," he added.

Sheen went on to address two stories -- one involving a longtime farm worker in the table grape industry name Maria, who is "a hard working single mother of three" and has struggled making $9 an hour for the past 17 years working in the fields. She often struggles to put food on her own table and doesn't have enough money to provide her family with adequate clothing for the winter season.

The second story, of many, involves Miguel, who has worked in the fields for 20 years harvesting table grapes near Delano, California. He, too, makes $9 an hour and struggles to support his family. He often has to decide between paying the rent on time, buying food or not to eat at all.

"There are so many other workers who endure the same situations. It's an uphill battle for the UFW. But I'm proud of the change they make in the lives of these hardworking people," he said. "A union is a solution that can help these workers and so many more. It protects their rights. It guarantees them better wages. It keeps them from being ripped off and shorted hours. That's why I'm proud to support the UFW both on the picket line and through my donations."

"Please give the UFW your support. From my own experience I can tell you, it is one of the most important and rewarding things you'll ever do. If we believe and strive, there's nothing we can't do together," he added. "In the words of my beloved friend Cesar, iSi, se puede! -- Yes, we can! Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving."

Sheen, the father of Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez, is most known for his six-time Emmy nominated performance as President Josiah Bartlet in "The West Wing," He also won six Golden Globe Awards, two SAG Awards as well as an ALMA Award.

He also played President John F. Kennedy in the television mini-series "Kennedy" (1983) for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. Robert F. Kennedy also lent his support to Chavez and said, "No man will stand taller than you when you say, 'I marched with Cesar Chavez.'" Two of Robert F. Kennedy's 11 children, Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, and human rights activist and attorney Robert "Bobby" F. Kennedy Jr. continue their support as well.

Chavez, the iconic labor leader, fought for farmers to unionize, have better pay and work conditions as they tried to earn a living picking grapes in the fields of California. He helped create the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. His fight for equality, civil rights, political recognition and environmental justice wasn't just for farm workers, however, but for all Latino workers who were treated unfairly and weren't represented.

Click here to donate to United Farm Workers and help farm workers in need.