Thanksgiving: showing appreciation

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

The Airmen's Creed states "I will never leave an Airman behind," and Master Sgt. Nader Chebaro believes no Airman should be left behind for the holidays.

The First Sergeant's Council will be volunteering their services and supporting Barksdale Airmen during the upcoming holiday to ensure no one is left behind. The majority of Barksdale's leadership can relate to the young Airmen staying on base for Thanksgiving.

"My first Thanksgiving in the Air Force was spent 1,200 miles away from home," said Master Sgt. Nader Chebaro, First Sergeant's Council vice president. "To be honest, I have spent a majority of my holidays away from home, from Korea to Germany to Afghanistan, but I have always been with my Air Force family."

The holiday season can be a difficult time, especially for Airmen away from home and serving overseas, it is important for leadership to show support.

"The first sergeant motto is 'My job is people - everyone is my business,' so Barksdale's first sergeants will be taking care of the Airmen," said Master Sgt. Chad Kraus, First Sergeant's Council president. "We will be serving Thanksgiving and Christmas meals at the Red River Dining Facility this year with the rest of the base leadership."

Not only will they be providing support to Airmen in the dorms, but to all across the base. The First Sergeant's Council raised more than $10,000 during their Operation WARM-HEART fundraiser this year to provide financial assistance during the holiday season.

"We will also be providing commissary gift cards to offset the cost and help provide a holiday meal for their family," said Kraus. "This is just another way the first sergeants can give back to the Barksdale Airmen and allow them to celebrate the holidays with a complete meal."

By giving back, the First Sergeant's Council will be helping alleviate the burden of financial stress an Airman may have if they are unable to provide for their family during the holidays.

"Supervisors and leaders have a duty to take care of Airmen, and show them we truly care about them and their families," said Chebaro.  "My advice to supervisors who have Airmen who will be staying here for the holidays is to adopt an Airman and invite them over to their residence."

Grab a couple of peers and have your own holiday feast if you are uncomfortable going to your leadership's house, he continued.  Do not spend the holidays alone.

"Keep in mind, you are not the only one who is away from your family," said Chebaro. "The good thing is you are here with your Air Force Family."

The benefits from reaching out to a fellow Airman or one under your supervision will last even after the holidays.

"It's important to show our Airmen who can't go home or need a little financial help during the holidays that we appreciate all they do to help accomplish the Barksdale mission," said Kraus. "If you take care of the Airmen, the Airmen will take care of the mission."