An Airman's Thanksgiving away from home

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jannelle Dickey
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Editor's note: This is part one of a three-part series on Thanksgiving at Barksdale.

Thanksgiving is a holiday for families to come together, enjoy a delicious feast and give thanks. However, not every Airman will be able to make it home this year.

First term Airmen may not have the opportunity to go home and celebrate Thanksgiving due to their work schedule, insufficient funds or accrued leave.

"I have a big family in Florida and we usually get together at my uncle's house to have a traditional meal, watch football and play games outside," said Airman 1st Class Michael Restrepo, 2nd Communications Squadron. "Thanksgiving is all about being with family and enjoying each other's company."

Others are accustomed to giving back to the community during the holidays.

"Before joining the Air Force, I used to volunteer and give away turkeys and collect canned goods to give to families who couldn't afford a Thanksgiving meal," said Airman 1st Class Megan Lovell, 2nd Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician. "I look forward to continuing to volunteer on Thanksgiving."
Family also makes this day special for Lovell.

"It's my favorite holiday; Thanksgiving is all about family and plenty of delicious food," said Lovell. "There is a lot of love, and since my family is spread out across the west coast, it's nice to get everyone together."

Although Lovell and Restrepo may not make it back to their hometown, they won't be alone during the holiday weekend.

"My immediate family will either come to Barksdale to spend Thanksgiving with me or I will hang out with friends," said Restrepo.

"If I can't go home I will really miss being back in California, but I will grab some friends and make plans," said Lovell.  "It is good for people to gather and still be able to celebrate like a family."

Although some Airmen may get homesick, for others it is not as difficult.

"The thought of being in the local area for Thanksgiving doesn't bother me too much, I think I will handle it pretty well," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Pico, 2nd Communications Squadron information assurance technician. "I'm an Army brat and my dad deployed a lot so I was used to not seeing him for long periods of time."

With time-on-station being less than six months, learning about tTeam Barksdale's services available for Airmen who remain on base for the holidays brought satisfaction.

"I think the dining facility dinner will be great," said Pico. "I will be going to the DFAC Thanksgiving dinner for sure; that will be my new Thanksgiving tradition at Barksdale."