Services give Airmen feeling of home on Thanksgiving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A juicy turkey, dressing, football and family are what most think of when Thanksgiving rolls around.

The 82nd Services Division and its contractors had one thing in mind the days leading up to and the day of Thanksgiving - the meal they would provide for more than 1,700 Airmen in Training and comforts of home they would try to provide.

"Our goal is to make sure (AiT) are having the best thanksgiving they've ever had ... to make it memorable," said Al Graham, project manager with Work Services.

To meet their goal, Work Services Corporation employees and the 82nd SVS started preparing for the holiday in October, aligning schedules and ensuring they'd have the right food in stock come Thanksgiving. Cooking started the day before and continued Thanksgiving Day starting at 4 a.m.

Overall, 700 pounds of prime rib, 310 pounds of ham and 700 pounds of turkey were cooked, along with all of the traditional holiday sides.

The dinner was well received by Airmen in Training, including Airman Jessica Carias, an AIT with the 361st Training Squadron. Airman Carias said she appreciated all the work, especially with her being away from her family.

"It shows they really care," she said. "It's really nice of them (to do all of this work), especially for them to take the time from their families."

The feeling of being at home, with a family, was something the 82nd SVS and WSC were keen to produce.

"(It's important because) to me, family is everything," said Sandra Gresham, a shift supervisor at the Tumbleweed Dining Facility. "In the military ... you become family; we're an extension of that."

For one Airman, it might not have been the lavish meal that impressed him the most. Airman Brandon Freeman of the 361st TRS said those who worked behind the counter - commanders, first sergeants and other Sheppard members - left a lasting memory of his first Thanksgiving in the military.

"It shows they have a lot of respect for us," Airman Freeman said.

By the end of the day, 1,781 Airmen were served meals during lunch and another 1,319 arrived for dinner.