Sentence:  It is at this time that we should imitate the Pilgrims by accompanying our prayers of thanks with the conviction that we shall continue to <WSD>be</WSD> in dire need for the Lord 's protection in the future , if we are to have peace ; Now , therefore , do I , John A. Notte , Jr. , Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations , proclaim Thursday , November 23 rd , 1961 , as Thanksgiving Day , 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)