39th Annual Operation Thanksgiving Published Nov. 7, 2016 By 2nd Lt. Jacqueline Jastrzebski 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard Air Force Base’s Operation Thanksgiving allows local families to host two to three Airmen for all of Thanksgiving Day, providing everyone involved with an unforgettable experience. Sheppard AFB is home to thousands of Airmen in Training with rigorous schedules that do not allow them to travel home for Thanksgiving. With the help of the surrounding community and the 82nd Training Wing Chapel Staff, Airmen are given the chance to enjoy Thanksgiving in the comfort of a welcoming family’s home. The Chapel Staff has organized Operation Thanksgiving in all 39 years of the program’s existence. For Captain Carlos Ramos-Graulau, 82nd Training Wing Chaplain, the event offers a unique opportunity to fulfil the Air Force Chaplain Corps Mission. “This is the reason we’re here: to show Airmen that the Air Force and community will always support them,” said Ramos. Many of the Airmen training at Sheppard AFB are experiencing their first holiday season as military members. Ramos believes that “Operation Thanksgiving is a venue for providing them with a small piece of home as they transition into the Air Force family.” Each year hundreds of families sign up to participate in Operation Thanksgiving. Lieutenant Colonel Bill O’Sullivan, 82nd Training Wing Head Chaplain, believes that the project provides community members with a chance to interact face to face with America’s finest young men and women. “It paints a picture of what our country’s best and brightest have to offer,” said O’Sullivan. For Brenda Shepard, Burkburnett, TX, Operation Thanksgiving in the past has been an opportunity for her family and the Airmen to learn from each other. “We’re not a military family, so meeting people from different parts of the country was very special for my children.” Brenda and her family are long-time participators in the event. She often reflects on the years before cell phones, when she would let the Airmen call home to their friends and families for as long as they would like. “I know that if my children were away serving our country, I’d hope that someone would open their home to them for the holidays,” Brenda said, “So we’re very excited to share with the Airmen this year.” Sheppard is thankful for all of the surrounding families that so graciously open up their homes on Thanksgiving to provide Airmen with a hot meal and great company. This year, Sheppard hopes to have approximately 200 families participate in Operation Thanksgiving, providing 400 of our Nation’s Finest with a taste of home this November. “We see tangible results in the lives of all who participate and it gives us great joy to be able to help create that experience,” Chaplain O’Sullivan said. “It really is one of the highlights of our year.” This year, Sheppard asks that those who are participating share their Thanksgiving experience on social media by posting photos on Facebook using #OperationThanksgiving and tagging Sheppard Air Force Base. Sharing the fun online will ensure that the project will continue to grow for years to come. Operation Thanksgiving is just one of the events that supports Sheppard Airmen on Thanksgiving Day. Below you will find a list of additional programs and a point of contact for each should you have further questions. Thanksgiving Day Lunch @ Tumbleweed and Mesquite Dinning Facilities Time: 11am-2pm POC: Ashley Buckmaster (940) 676-3492 Home Away from Home @ Church at Sheppard Time: 11am-2pm POC: MSgt Justin Jacobs (940) 676-3445