Thanksgiving
by MoJo2001My first Thanksgiving as a Navy wife was celebrated on November 1994 in Yigo, Guam. The Sailor and myself celebrated Thanksgiving with family, Aussies, Chamorros, Kiwis, a group of single Sailors, a few Veterans, a lot of Samoans, a woman from Bahrain and her Air Force hubby, a few folks from Saipan, cousins from Tahiti, relatives from Japan, my great grandfather, the ever busybody of the family Aunt Vesi, and my Golden Retriever--Goldie. It was truly an international Thanksgiving for both of us. Our first Thanksgiving feast consisted of the traditional American servings, but we also had red beans and rice, and foods from each of the other countries represented. MoJo enjoyed eating Turkey, poi, and sushi. Yummy, huh? Hehe. My Thanksgiving experience has always been a bit different. For the first 5 years of my life, I never even celebrated Thanksgiving because I was usually in New Zealand or Australia at the time. My first Thanksgiving in America was so strange because I refused to go outside. I wasn't used to Ohio Novembers. Add into the mix that the language barrier was awkward, my first Thanksgiving wasn't very eventful. Eating a turkey wasn't something you would do on the islands. So? This was an extremely difficult thing to process. For someone who don't start off celebrating Thanksgiving, it has become an important holiday. It reminds me that I could've ended up somewhere else. Having spent it as a Navy wife, it reminds me that our military do the best they can to uphold our traditions wherever they are located. They may not be surrounded by family, but they will make an effort to spend it with others in the same situation. If it requires improvising, they will do it. Why? It's Thanksgiving and on this date in November, that's what Americans do. As you are enjoying your holiday festivities, please remember our Troops. Remember the Soldier that will be on patrol or duty tomorrow while you are eating your turkey. Remember the Sailor that will be standing watch in the middle of the Ocean while you are having that slice of pumpkin pie. Remember, the Coasties that will be patrolling our seas while you are rooting for the Dallas Cowboys. Remember the Airman that will be fixing one of the jets while you are cleaning up. Remember the Marine that will be guarding the checkpoints while you sit around enjoying something funny. Remember our National Guard and Reservists while you are playing games with your family. By remembering them during this holiday of Thanksgiving, you are following a long tradition of the American spirit and our military: We do not forget our own. From all of us in the FReeper Canteen to our military heroes around the world:
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank God for you! |
