Where were you stationed the first time you had to spend Thanksgiving away from home while on active duty?

2023-11-23T15:57:42-05:00

I was on Okinawa getting ready to ship out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 4:05 PM

2023-11-23T16:05:36-05:00

Cpl Vic Burk Vietnam... it was a memorable one... the cook at LZ Liz spent 24 straight hours preparing a T.G. dinner second to none. Happy Thanksgiving Vic.

Response by SSG Robert Vernon made Nov 23 at 2023 4:53 PM

2023-11-23T16:53:10-05:00

My first duty station during the Holiday seasons was in Garlstedt Germany ( Up North by Berlin), Just before Christmas, we left for South Korea for training, from there it was Fort Drum NY. Talking about Cold.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Nov 23 at 2023 4:57 PM

2023-11-23T16:57:12-05:00

Navy bootcamp in San Diego

Response by SPC Woody Bullard made Nov 23 at 2023 5:06 PM

2023-11-23T17:06:00-05:00

I was in basic combat training at Harmony Church D-8-2 Fort Benning, Georgia in November
of 1968 for my first Thanksgiving away from home on active duty in the U.S. Army.

Response by MSgt Robert Kagel made Nov 23 at 2023 5:07 PM

2023-11-23T17:07:07-05:00

Kunsan AB, Korea, It was my second base and my first time overseas, I liked Korea so much I stayed for 3 years in a row. Thanksgiving was always at the Chow Hall, and absolutely everyone went. The DFAC crew always put out a great spread for all the holidays at the Kun.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Nov 23 at 2023 5:21 PM

2023-11-23T17:21:02-05:00

A couple miles south of the DMZ in Korea Cpl Vic Burk 1970, and Vietnam, 1971.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 5:28 PM

2023-11-23T17:28:59-05:00

Nuremberg in Germany. While away from home I was with family. It was a good time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 5:38 PM

2023-11-23T17:38:49-05:00

FT Irwin, CA. In fact, I think I was out in the Box for a rotation.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 23 at 2023 5:41 PM

2023-11-23T17:41:52-05:00

Cpl Vic Burk I was attending A-School, Corry Station, NTTC Pensacola,

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Nov 23 at 2023 6:13 PM

2023-11-23T18:13:01-05:00

It was 1974, I was in Thailand.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 23 at 2023 7:04 PM

2023-11-23T19:04:54-05:00

LMAO ~~ I Enlisted On My 17th Birthday, 06/29/1961.
That's It... All Done.!!
"And Brother, I've Been On My Own Ever Since".
~~Ta Dah.~

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 23 at 2023 7:07 PM

2023-11-23T19:07:16-05:00

19 YRS OLD NURBURG GERMANY 2-1 FA PINDER BKS.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Nov 23 at 2023 7:17 PM

2023-11-23T19:17:13-05:00

The first time... Louisiana.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 23 at 2023 7:26 PM

2023-11-23T19:26:29-05:00

Cpl Vic Burk The Thanksgiving I recall was at Camp Casey in 1954. We were amazed at how much the KATUSAs could eat!

LTC Private RallyPoint Member PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen C. SGT Philip Roncari SFC William Farrell CPT Jack Durish@SFC Joe s SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC Ralph E Kelley Cpl Vic Burk MSG Joseph Cristofaro

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 7:44 PM

2023-11-23T19:44:08-05:00

Cpl Vic Burk What was Ft. Monmouth NJ.
couple months into radar repair school, and in the red on leave. At least I didn't pull KP that holiday. Food was good mess hall (way before DFAC was hatched) holiday fare with all the trimmings.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 23 at 2023 8:07 PM

2023-11-23T20:07:16-05:00

Well, Cpl Vic Burk, I was at Fort Jackson (Tank Hill), SC, attending Basic Combat Training on 27NOV69!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 8:55 PM

2023-11-23T20:55:50-05:00

Ft Benning 1993. The DFAC did an impressive Thanksgiving on Wednesday, then 4 of us in the barracks paid $12 a piece for an impressive Thanksgiving buffet at the Marriott on Thursday.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 9:03 PM

2023-11-23T21:03:52-05:00

Camp Las Pulgas 43 Area Camp Pendleton, California 1979.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 9:21 PM

2023-11-23T21:21:38-05:00

I, too, was in Okinawa and had just started a two year term of service there in July 1967. . . .

Response by AN Ron Wright made Nov 23 at 2023 10:08 PM

2023-11-23T22:08:22-05:00

USS Forrestal F-4s
in the Red sea flying with the Saudis almost set a record for longest time at sea in non war times

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 23 at 2023 11:42 PM

2023-11-23T23:42:20-05:00

I was just meeting my Basic Training cadre,Ft.Lewis WA.November 1965.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 24 at 2023 6:56 AM

2023-11-24T06:56:52-05:00

I was in Germany

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 24 at 2023 10:57 AM

2023-11-24T10:57:11-05:00

Medical Training Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 24 at 2023 1:52 PM

2023-11-24T13:52:17-05:00

We weren't really there and I think the op is still classified.
That's satire but seriously I really don't remember but I do
know I was happier because my C-Rat was Turkey Loaf.

Response by SFC Robert Devincenzo made Nov 24 at 2023 3:16 PM

2023-11-24T15:16:17-05:00

Jump School Ft. Benning

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Nov 24 at 2023 6:43 PM

2023-11-24T18:43:46-05:00

I was on Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), suffering from infected wounds from barbed wire & razor wire and a nasty concussion that nearly took my eyesight in my left eye. We were in the field and did not return from it until after Thanksgiving on the 1st of December.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Nov 24 at 2023 9:28 PM

2023-11-24T21:28:05-05:00

Germany, probably worked taking care of war wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan. Pretty good time as a single solider as those folks became my family.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Nov 24 at 2023 10:05 PM

2023-11-24T22:05:01-05:00

Oddly enough, Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB TX.

Response by SGT Mary G. made Nov 25 at 2023 2:30 AM

2023-11-25T02:30:07-05:00

BT, Fort Jackson, Tank Hill.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Nov 25 at 2023 9:17 AM

2023-11-25T09:17:53-05:00

Cpl Vic Burk Buidgen Germany 1990 with the 3rd Armoured Division.

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Nov 25 at 2023 9:47 AM

2023-11-25T09:47:49-05:00

I was in the Jungles of Vietnam, 30 day's in, and then you had two day's off then back for another 30 days, with constant fire fights. It being Thanksgiving was not given any thought. we were just happy to make it trough to another day.

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Nov 25 at 2023 10:09 AM

2023-11-25T10:09:21-05:00

Vietnam November 1967 I was 19 and a PFC. Assigned to the 525th MI Group in Gia Dinh Province. Believe me I had nothing to do with Military Intelligence.

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made Nov 25 at 2023 1:06 PM

2023-11-25T13:06:10-05:00

NAS Miramar, San Diego, CA.

Response by CMSgt Paul Palko made Nov 25 at 2023 1:31 PM

2023-11-25T13:31:33-05:00

Pendleton...at 1st Tanks on Las Flores. I was a Jarhead for 5.5 years before going USAF.

Response by SMSgt Henry Kiester made Nov 25 at 2023 6:21 PM

2023-11-25T18:21:29-05:00

RAF Bentwaters, UK - chow hall was actually pretty good.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2023 8:43 AM

2023-11-26T08:43:09-05:00

Al- Fallujah, FOB Dreamland, Iraq, 2003-2004. First of many Thanksgivings spent in the ME.

YMMV

Chris sends.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Nov 26 at 2023 1:09 PM

2023-11-26T13:09:03-05:00

Ft. Riley, Ks. 1976. 757 Med Det, Schwäbische Gmund, FRG 1977/1978.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 27 at 2023 10:39 AM

2023-11-27T10:39:34-05:00

My first Thanksgiving away was while deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. I moved on to Embassy duty the next year and missed several holidays after that.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2023 11:13 AM

2023-11-27T11:13:10-05:00

Camp Pendleton, just after hitting the fleet

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2023 11:04 AM

2023-11-29T11:04:03-05:00

Fort Knox, Kentucky...Thanksgiving only food was from DFAC, it took me a while to adjust to solitude on being away from home...

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2023 7:52 AM

2023-11-30T07:52:42-05:00

Biloxi missisippi

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2023 8:24 PM

2023-11-30T20:24:15-05:00

Fort Ord, California

Response by Sgt Francisco Grijalva made Dec 6 at 2023 2:47 PM

2023-12-06T14:47:45-05:00

Military basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio in 1986.

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Dec 7 at 2023 4:28 PM

2023-12-07T16:28:11-05:00

Peacekeeping mission at Camp Comanche near Eagle Base in Bosnia, September 2001 - March 2002 SFOR-10

Response by CPL James S. made Dec 7 at 2023 9:19 PM

2023-12-07T21:19:25-05:00

when you say "away from home", do you mean away from the US or away from Dad, Mom and the rest of the insane asylum? LOL

I was stationed at Randolph AFB, Texas (Universal City, just outside of San Antonio). The job didn't allow for a lot of leave time either. I didn't mind it though.

Response by LtCol Bruce Janis made Dec 10 at 2023 11:17 AM

2023-12-10T11:17:38-05:00

Ft. Sill, finishing training before heading to the Nam.

Response by SGT Kevin Taber made Dec 11 at 2023 9:23 AM

2023-12-11T09:23:47-05:00

1988 Camp Stanton Korea. Had good chow at the mess hall and the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders came in on a Blackhawk and hung out with us for a few hours at the NCO club

Response by CPO George Disbrow made Dec 13 at 2023 11:19 AM

2023-12-13T11:19:19-05:00

1980 Camp Moscrip, Rosy Roads, Puerto Rico. Deployed with NMCB-1, Charlie Company as a Builder Construction Apprentice {BUCA) working on several construction projects.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 14 at 2023 9:11 AM

2023-12-14T09:11:02-05:00

Germany when it was still West Germany Cpl Vic Burk

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Dec 14 at 2023 10:43 AM

2023-12-14T10:43:06-05:00

In the jungles of Vietnam.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 14 at 2023 12:28 PM

2023-12-14T12:28:52-05:00

In the middle of the Kuwaiti desert as a young tanker. They flew in a Blackhawk and two food servers in white uniforms carried the food to the chow tent. The food buffet must have been a good 40 feet long it was the best Thanksgiving meal I have ever eaten. MG William Wallace helped dish out food. He was not excited to be there by his demeanor.

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Dec 14 at 2023 1:38 PM

2023-12-14T13:38:34-05:00

Vietnam. September 1967-1968. 525th MI GP Gia Dinh Province.

Response by SGM Ronald Cheatom made Dec 16 at 2023 4:18 PM

2023-12-16T16:18:24-05:00

Fort Bragg NC

Response by 1SG Lamar Dee Evans made Dec 17 at 2023 7:54 PM

2023-12-17T19:54:33-05:00

Berlin 1977

Response by SPC Charlton Makanui made Dec 27 at 2023 12:46 PM

2023-12-27T12:46:21-05:00

AIT, Ft Gordon, Ga. 1981

Response by SGT Steven Bolander made Dec 30 at 2023 9:21 AM

2023-12-30T09:21:36-05:00

Hon Tre Island, Vietnam.

Response by SP5 Philip McClure made Dec 31 at 2023 11:45 PM

2023-12-31T23:45:08-05:00

Ft. Riley KS 1978. HHC 1/63AR 1ID

Response by SPC Ray Rigsby made Jan 6 at 2024 11:55 AM

2024-01-06T11:55:25-05:00

The first time I was in Germany, the second time I was in Vietnam.

Response by CMDCM Kermit Cain made Jan 6 at 2024 1:30 PM

2024-01-06T13:30:03-05:00

Adak, Alaska 1969.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2024 2:02 PM

2024-01-06T14:02:11-05:00

Basic Training at Ft. Ord in 1967. Next one was at Biggs Field (Vietnamese language school). Last two were at Engineer Hill and 62nd Maintenance Bn's base, both near Pleiku.

Response by SSG Richard Linck made Jan 6 at 2024 7:26 PM

2024-01-06T19:26:59-05:00

West Berlin 1972

Response by SSgt Chris Robinson made Jan 7 at 2024 7:23 AM

2024-01-07T07:23:13-05:00

I was at my training base in Texas. To make things worse I was in the hospital with strep throat. Worst thanksgiving ever.

Response by CPL LaForest Gray made Jan 7 at 2024 8:56 AM

2024-01-07T08:56:38-05:00

Fort Dix, NJ

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Jan 7 at 2024 9:38 AM

2024-01-07T09:38:26-05:00

I spent my first Thanksgiving at MCRD San Diego attending electronics school. My 3rd Thanksgiving was in Vietnam. My 4th Thanksgiving was back at San Diego going to Comm Center Chief School. My 6th was at Camp Foster on Okinawa. My last was at Camp Taji in Iraq.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 7 at 2024 10:05 AM

2024-01-07T10:05:41-05:00

Mainz/Gonsenheim Lee Barracks, Germany

Response by Maj Robert Larkowski made Jan 7 at 2024 10:08 AM

2024-01-07T10:08:20-05:00

Well outside of spending my first Thanksgiving at boot camp, my first station for Thanksgiving was at George AFB in Victorville Ca.
Anybody ever hear of the place?

Response by SSgt Charles Wheatley made Jan 7 at 2024 11:29 AM

2024-01-07T11:29:03-05:00

Saigon Vietnam, 1968-1969.

Response by SGT Marc Grote made Jan 7 at 2024 11:31 AM

2024-01-07T11:31:39-05:00

I was in AIT at Ft. Sam. My first Thanksgiving after I was out of training was at Camp Casey in Korea.

Response by CH (LTC) Leon Kircher made Jan 7 at 2024 12:21 PM

2024-01-07T12:21:33-05:00

West Berlin, Germany. 1974. Had very many away from home over 40 years in the Army

Response by CH (LTC) Leon Kircher made Jan 7 at 2024 12:22 PM

2024-01-07T12:22:08-05:00

West Berlin Germany. 1974. Had a lot more away from home in my 40 years in the Army

Response by PFC James Klein made Jan 7 at 2024 1:01 PM

2024-01-07T13:01:15-05:00

I arrived at HHC 23rd Engineering Battalion in Hanau, Germany in November of 1971. (Those of us stationed in Hanau always said, "Better Hanau than Hanoi!") All of our mess hall cooks were from Turkey and cooked very good meals compared to the cooks I had in basic training. On Thanksgiving Day, a long table with white linen tablecloth was laden with many dishes traditional to Thanksgiving meals in the U.S. In the center of the long table was a huge, gorgeous center piece with a large 'stuffed' turkey surrounded by fruits, flowers, and autumn leaves. As I went passed the 'stuffed' turkey, marveling at what a good job some taxidermist had done in making it look so alive, the turkey turned its head toward me and blinked its eyes! The cooks from Turkey had actually sedated a live turkey and tied its feet to the baseboard of the large center piece!

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 7 at 2024 1:30 PM

2024-01-07T13:30:10-05:00

I was stationed at Whiteman AFB, MO with the 351st Combat Defense Squadron, (SAC) where I was assigned in the Air Police which was in 1966. My Thanksgiving dinner was at the Mess Hall located near My barracks.

Response by SSgt Robert Campain made Jan 7 at 2024 2:40 PM

2024-01-07T14:40:45-05:00

Basic Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio.

Response by SGT Charles Marcinko made Jan 7 at 2024 4:29 PM

2024-01-07T16:29:33-05:00

My first duty station after the Basic/AIT/jump school trio was in Baumholder, West Germany in 1985. I was looking for a place to live off post since I wasn't eligible to live on post. I was a PFC and my pregnant wife was back home waiting on me. After eating that day, I went out apartment looking. Find one that weekend that I liked.

Response by SCPO Jeffrey Smethers made Jan 7 at 2024 4:57 PM

2024-01-07T16:57:51-05:00

USS John F Kennedy/HS -7 in the Mediterranean

Response by CSM Thomas Ray made Jan 7 at 2024 6:19 PM

2024-01-07T18:19:52-05:00

III Corp, Republic of Viet Nam, didn't know that it was Thanksgiving

Response by SGM Willie Sanderson made Jan 7 at 2024 7:55 PM

2024-01-07T19:55:29-05:00

TUSLOG DET 168 Chakmakli Turkey 1970. Pulling a 24 hour shift on the hill guarding some Honest John's missle. Mess Hall always laid out a beautiful spread and since we were on duty 24 hours straight we could eat at any time throughout the 24 hour shift and we would bring the Turkish soldiers food as well. The Turk Soldiers thought we were millionaires. I was a young PFC and all we did was worked, eat, played poker, chased beautiful women in Istanbul. Since drinks were only 25 Cents each at the EM Club and the CSM ran the club and always had plenty of free vodka to consume we were having the time of our lives and thanking God that as11Bs we were not fighting in Vietnam. There was not a one of us that did not have friends that we had trained with that were fighting and some gave ALL. So we bent our knees all the time and Prsyed hard for our friends in battle.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Jan 7 at 2024 8:47 PM

2024-01-07T20:47:28-05:00

Headquarters Battalion, 2nd MarDiv, Camp Lejeune. 1965

Response by SPC Kai Morrison made Jan 7 at 2024 9:10 PM

2024-01-07T21:10:23-05:00

Camp humpreys korea. 1990

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Jan 8 at 2024 12:42 AM

2024-01-08T00:42:32-05:00

The sunny lands of the beach with no water Saudi waiting on the Gulf War to kick off 1/17thFA BN 75TH FA BDE 7 CORPS ARTILLETY

Response by SPC Randy Krout made Jan 8 at 2024 5:23 PM

2024-01-08T17:23:55-05:00

Schweinfurt Germany waiting to go TDY to Grafenwohr

Response by CPL Jesse Cunard made Jan 8 at 2024 7:22 PM

2024-01-08T19:22:16-05:00

FOB Connolly Afghanistan on my 1st deployment 2009

Response by CPL T.A. Nelson made Jan 8 at 2024 8:32 PM

2024-01-08T20:32:00-05:00

Kitzigen, Germany was deployed for two after...

Response by SSgt Steven Stone made Jan 8 at 2024 9:15 PM

2024-01-08T21:15:13-05:00

29 Palms- Comm School

Response by Sgt Wayne Horton made Jan 9 at 2024 9:28 AM

2024-01-09T09:28:28-05:00

MCRD San Diego

Response by SSG Shanya Ingram made Jan 9 at 2024 9:32 AM

2024-01-09T09:32:26-05:00

Saudi Arabia
HHC 24th ID_HHC 24th Sig
Working as Cook for Gen. McCaffrey
And YES...He ate the same things the soldiers ate, except his Cup of Noodles
Fort Stewart

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Jan 9 at 2024 9:48 AM

2024-01-09T09:48:35-05:00

On Thanksgiving day we had a hot turkey dinner choppered in for us, and also more ammo,water,C & K rations, and a change of clothes for all of us. This also happened on Christmas day. Never expected this to happen.

Response by MSgt Willie County Jr made Jan 9 at 2024 10:42 AM

2024-01-09T10:42:27-05:00

17 years old and had just arrived at Zweibrucken AB, Germany in 1975. I forget where I ate but I do remember that the dining hall was closed for renovations when I arrived there so everyone was on Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)!!!!

Response by CPT Jacob Michael made Jan 9 at 2024 2:22 PM

2024-01-09T14:22:35-05:00

Mannheim, Germany.

Response by SSG Douglas Shaffer made Jan 9 at 2024 4:02 PM

2024-01-09T16:02:56-05:00

I was TDY to Ft. Campbell for Air Assault School

Response by CW2 Robert Troop made Jan 9 at 2024 5:27 PM

2024-01-09T17:27:35-05:00

If memory recalls, 1973, Ft Belvoir VA

Response by SP5 Roger Hurst made Jan 9 at 2024 7:20 PM

2024-01-09T19:20:44-05:00

Ft Hood,TX, just before I left for Vietnam!!

Response by SPC Craig Herring made Jan 10 at 2024 2:28 AM

2024-01-10T02:28:50-05:00

I Troop 3/11 ACR OP Romeo Border Patrol West Germany

Response by SCPO Rick Hunter made Jan 10 at 2024 2:30 PM

2024-01-10T14:30:52-05:00

US Naval Hospital Keflavik Iceland.

Response by Michael Davis made Jan 10 at 2024 3:32 PM

2024-01-10T15:32:43-05:00

Camp Pelham (Munsan) South Korea. 1992. 10km South of the DMZ. They fed us well, but listening to North Korea do maneuvers at night was not much fun. Got to spend one Thanksgiving in Haiti riding in a helo as a spare pax flying Thanksgiving food to a SpecOps unit that was outside of the cantonment area in Cap-Haitien. That was not as nice as being with family, but I'm glad the aviation unit allowed me to be "dead weight". I was in for 6 years and got to spend Thanksgiving with family exactly zero times.

Response by MSgt George Murray made Jan 10 at 2024 4:53 PM

2024-01-10T16:53:26-05:00

I was at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. That was a great base.

Response by SGT Paula Kounse made Jan 10 at 2024 7:21 PM

2024-01-10T19:21:26-05:00

Bootcamp at Fort Jackson

Response by LTC Jerry Gordon made Jan 10 at 2024 10:39 PM

2024-01-10T22:39:49-05:00

Camp, Kyle Korea, near Camp, red cloud, and Weetamoo Korea 1970! The Next thanksgiving was in South Vietnam in the Delta.

Response by SSG Sue Berger made Jan 10 at 2024 10:55 PM

2024-01-10T22:55:20-05:00

Ft Richardson Alaska. I was wide eyed and excited to be on an adventure

Response by PFC Charles Chambliss made Jan 11 at 2024 1:36 AM

2024-01-11T01:36:27-05:00

Phouc Vinh Vietnam,1st Cav 15th Med Battalion,Nov. 1970.God bless America.

Response by SPC Geoffrey Jenkins made Jan 11 at 2024 7:07 AM

2024-01-11T07:07:38-05:00

Camp Scania,Iraq 2005/2006

Response by SGT Richard Sheehan made Jan 11 at 2024 12:54 PM

2024-01-11T12:54:32-05:00

Korea with 2nd Engr BN at the mess hall. The meal was good.

Response by SP5 Henry Bouffard made Jan 11 at 2024 1:31 PM

2024-01-11T13:31:51-05:00

It was 1967, I was stationed at Ft. Holabird, Baltimore, MD.

Response by LTC Jason Carter made Jan 11 at 2024 3:49 PM

2024-01-11T15:49:23-05:00

I was at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. 2001

Response by PO3 Grace Alexander made Jan 11 at 2024 4:58 PM

2024-01-11T16:58:45-05:00

I was stationed at the Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego, Ca. I am from Guilderland, NY.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2024 5:08 PM

2024-01-11T17:08:23-05:00

Camp Humphreys, Korea

Response by SPC Justin Falk made Jan 11 at 2024 5:46 PM

2024-01-11T17:46:49-05:00

I was at osut at Fort Knox, KY. It was a couple weeks before we finished our ait portion of osut. The next Thanksgiving I was stationed at Fort Benning, GA in 3rd brigade 3rd ID.

Response by SP6 Johnathan McVey made Jan 11 at 2024 7:26 PM

2024-01-11T19:26:16-05:00

Nov ‘98, first year in the Navy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2024 9:24 PM

2024-01-11T21:24:38-05:00

I was in Fort Riley, Kansas 2009.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2024 11:22 PM

2024-01-11T23:22:39-05:00

Afghanistan, Camp Dahlke/ FOB Shank, 2014.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2024 4:04 PM

2024-01-12T16:04:56-05:00

Infantry Training Ft. Polk, LA 1971.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2024 8:30 PM

2024-01-12T20:30:28-05:00

Basic Training, Fort McClellan, 1974. Just got there in August, couldn't afford to go home so soon. First of many times that I missed being home for the Holidays.......

Response by PO3 Sheila Buchter made Jan 12 at 2024 8:44 PM

2024-01-12T20:44:21-05:00

MCAS Yuma Az. One of the cooks had Hepatitis & anyone who ate at the mess hall were exposed to Hepatitis. Everyone had to get shots encuding those who were going on leave.

Response by PO2 Stephen Brownell made Jan 12 at 2024 8:57 PM

2024-01-12T20:57:41-05:00

I was in Vietnam

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2024 12:24 AM

2024-01-13T00:24:39-05:00

US Army: We were deployed to Bosnia (1996-1997) within NATO. We worked 6-days per week, 10-12 hrs per day; exhausting. One afternoon I walked into the NATO DFAC (37 Armies) and to my sheer surprise the international staff had prepared an American Thanksgiving meal! Irish stuffing, [no cranberry!], turkey...it was wonderful. They even flew in a H-A-P-P-Y T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G banner and some turkey wall-hangings! I hadn't thought about our Thanksgiving holiday as uniquely American until that moment and I was happy that gratefulness is spreading around the planet.

Response by SP6 John .Arnneman made Jan 13 at 2024 9:18 AM

2024-01-13T09:18:46-05:00

West Germany

Response by SMSgt Guy Garfinkel made Jan 13 at 2024 9:57 AM

2024-01-13T09:57:56-05:00

I was attending Tech Training School at Amarillo AFB TX.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Jan 13 at 2024 3:52 PM

2024-01-13T15:52:20-05:00

Ft Knox F 1/46
Basic Training

Response by SPC Michael Terrell made Jan 13 at 2024 7:27 PM

2024-01-13T19:27:47-05:00

Fort Rucker. I was just barely out of Basic and dealing with people who didn't believe that you could go from Basic to active duty without any AIT.
I was on Separate Rations, so no Thanksgiving dinner.

Response by CPO James Walker made Jan 14 at 2024 9:29 AM

2024-01-14T09:29:31-05:00

NAS Barbers Point Hawaii.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2024 8:26 PM

2024-01-14T20:26:05-05:00

I was in Bear Cat in Vietnam and had a great meal. And for Christmas I was in a Vietnamese Special Forces Camp and the main course was carp with the eyeballs in it. The Thanksgiving meal was much better also the sleeping arrangements.

Response by CMSgt William Wilson made Jan 14 at 2024 10:11 PM

2024-01-14T22:11:47-05:00

I was at Cam Ranh Bay, RVN. 1969

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 14 at 2024 11:26 PM

2024-01-14T23:26:59-05:00

Once in the middle of Kuwait when I was on tanks. They flew in dinner on a Blackhawk. The best Thanksgiving meal I ever had. We ate our fill. Took some turkey legs with us and laid on the tank and nibbled on more turkey.

Another time it was at the CRC at Ft Benning on my way to Iraq. Iraq was not too bad because I was a 18th ABC Staff Officer. I think I got a little fat. lol LTG Austin used this palace for the HQs. Saddam had many palaces in Iraq.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2024 10:01 AM

2024-01-15T10:01:27-05:00

Timbuktu, Mali in 2003. Helping train Malian army to combat terrorism. The Malian camp commander knew it was our Thanksgiving. He brought the team a roasted goat basted in garlic butter and stuffed with couscous. Only one of us was brave enough to try the brown gravy made with the innards. Good time.

Response by SP6 Vincent Ramsey made Jan 15 at 2024 11:11 AM

2024-01-15T11:11:15-05:00

Schofield Barracks Hawaii.

Response by Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna made Jan 15 at 2024 9:24 PM

2024-01-15T21:24:45-05:00

Me, in 1982 "Famous Camp LeJuene"...
Out of Boot Camp for supply Training

Response by MAJ Mark N. made Jan 17 at 2024 3:37 PM

2024-01-17T15:37:43-05:00

Nurnberg Germany, 1981. Newly commissioned 2LT in country for about 2 months. Pulled 2 shifts of Staff Duty Officer so married officers could spend the holidays with their families.

Response by CPT Ian Stewart made Jan 21 at 2024 4:53 PM

2024-01-21T16:53:22-05:00

Ft. Knox, KY (C Co 4/34 Armor). We were one of the last units to still have company mess halls (the change to battalion mess halls was in full swing) and the cooks were part of the company. While many, if not all ,Thanksgiving dinners in the mess halls of the various units I served with, were great - the mess teams always did their best - that Thanksgiving dinner with C Co. was the most memorable.
I know the conversion to the battalion mess hall was a more efficient use of mess personnel, but the Army took away a special relationship the mess team had with its unit when the change was made.
Then the Army started calling them "dining facilities", but the troops still called them mess halls - too many syllables in "dining facilities".:-).

Response by SMSgt Michael Gleason made Jan 21 at 2024 4:54 PM

2024-01-21T16:54:46-05:00

Camp Casey, TongDuCheon, S. Korea (about seven miles south of the DMZ) - HHD, 7th Avn Bn, 7th Inf Div, I Corps, 8th Army, for one Thanksgiving and TWO ("Count'em!") Christmases in a 14-month tour!

Response by MSgt Mason Manner made Jan 21 at 2024 9:02 PM

2024-01-21T21:02:34-05:00

What about A town?

Response by SGT Walt Pozgay made Feb 6 at 2024 1:28 PM

2024-02-06T13:28:58-05:00

My first Thanksgiving away from home was in Basic Training at Ft. Dix, NJ. I also was one of the "lucky" ones that got KP that day. I say that, because after all the meals were served, they closed the mess hall and the mess sergeant call all us KPs out to the dining room. "You guys did well, today. For the next 45 minutes, eat whatever you want!" It was the only time during basic that I left the mess hall truly full.

Response by SFC Michael Moody made Feb 6 at 2024 2:01 PM

2024-02-06T14:01:01-05:00

I was in AIT at Fort Polk, Louisiana Tiger Land.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Feb 6 at 2024 9:40 PM

2024-02-06T21:40:31-05:00

1970, Fort Benning, getting ready to go to Vietnam.

Response by 1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) made Feb 11 at 2024 12:44 PM

2024-02-11T12:44:49-05:00

Panama with the 517th Air Defense Artillery (40mm AntiAircraft Self Propelled - "Dusters").
Eighteen years old and a long way from Montana! - 1961

Response by SFC Frederick Dalton made Feb 11 at 2024 9:57 PM

2024-02-11T21:57:45-05:00

1987, basic training. Fed us well, then PT’d the hell out of us.

Response by SPC Bobby Locklear made Feb 26 at 2024 12:06 PM

2024-02-26T12:06:25-05:00

I was in vietnam

Response by SPC Peter Suedfeld made Mar 24 at 2024 3:21 PM

2024-03-24T15:21:05-04:00

1955 in Exercise Sagebrush in Louisiana, the largest maneuver since WW2 -- 140,000 Army and Air Force personnel. I was in the "Aggressor" 4th Armored Division. We got a full Thanksgiving meal in the field. I was sitting under a tree, opening my messkit, when a bee stung the back of my neck. I enjoyed the turkey etc. anyway, but maybe a bit less.

Response by MSgt Donald Graves made Apr 11 at 2024 10:53 AM

2024-04-11T10:53:54-04:00

I was at RAF Alconbury. It is near Huntingdon England, 1974.