who missed some or several holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries while serving this great nation. having Thanksgiving in a mess tent is just not the same as at home with a family. Thanks to all who served. Lee
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR VETERANS
- Thread starter Lee Barner
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Yes, I remember it well, 3 years overseas, but at least I had dinner in the chow-hall.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
My two oldest were in from 1998 to 2006. When stationed on Okinawa the phone calls were very melancholy. When stationed in Germany, the calls were mostly joyous and brief, so as to get back to the main dish of the day! (Frauleins!)
To those of you with loved ones away, Thank You for putting up with the heartache.
Ivan
To those of you with loved ones away, Thank You for putting up with the heartache.
Ivan
AugieTN
US Veteran
I remember being in the Atlantic, but we went close enough to shore to get the football games 
I celebrated every one, no matter where I was.
After I made Chief I served the holidays meals in the chow hall
with the other Chiefs, colonels, and general if there was one. What
an honor. We made sure the folks ate well. I've had many a
colonel and a few generals tell me they didn't know if they could
afford to have me serve the turkey. I'd smile and add an extra
slice of whatever the person in front of me wanted--light or dark.
Mom lived in Cheyenne at the time, and when I was home with
her one year I had coordinated with the F.E. Warren AFB senior
enlisted advisor to help out when those Chiefs, colonels, and the
two-star served the Thanksgiving meal at their chow hall. We
even had families in for dinner.
After I made Chief I served the holidays meals in the chow hall
with the other Chiefs, colonels, and general if there was one. What
an honor. We made sure the folks ate well. I've had many a
colonel and a few generals tell me they didn't know if they could
afford to have me serve the turkey. I'd smile and add an extra
slice of whatever the person in front of me wanted--light or dark.
Mom lived in Cheyenne at the time, and when I was home with
her one year I had coordinated with the F.E. Warren AFB senior
enlisted advisor to help out when those Chiefs, colonels, and the
two-star served the Thanksgiving meal at their chow hall. We
even had families in for dinner.
Thank you for that, Lee. Those were some lonely holidays for sure. I did the best I could but they were still lonely and empty feeling.
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The comradery was special, the food in base camp was plentiful. But it wasn't home.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
I only spent one Thanksgiving and Christmas away from family, during a tour to ROK. However, growing up as an Army brat, my career NCO Dad had a special routine on the holidays.
He would have my Mom cook a ton of food, and mid-morning he would go to the barracks and see if there were guys who had no place to go. We always had a houseful, and one year he took my bedroom door off and put it across some saw horses to make another table. That year we also had some ARVN troops who were stateside training. Everyone was welcome regardless of race, religion, or national origin.
My wife and I did the same when I was stationed at Ft. Knox, but on a smaller scale.
He would have my Mom cook a ton of food, and mid-morning he would go to the barracks and see if there were guys who had no place to go. We always had a houseful, and one year he took my bedroom door off and put it across some saw horses to make another table. That year we also had some ARVN troops who were stateside training. Everyone was welcome regardless of race, religion, or national origin.
My wife and I did the same when I was stationed at Ft. Knox, but on a smaller scale.
I echo the sentiment, but would like to add: First responders, the crews that keep the lights on...etc, etc., etc. My daughter the Trooper had to work, and my son the lineman had to work, and is still working...repairing the damage from yesterday's snowstorm. I think that even the incompetent Best Buy employees had to work!!!
THE PILGRIM
Member
Back in those Good Ole SAC days, I got into a scheduling rut where I was on Alert at Christmas but not at Thanksgiving.
Had trouble explaining to my Mother why I could be there at Thanksgiving but not at Christmas!
Had trouble explaining to my Mother why I could be there at Thanksgiving but not at Christmas!
