Service Men, Women Attend Tinker Feast

Many enlisted servicemen and women brought their families there to celebrate their first thanksgiving meal together in years, as others gather together before another deployment.

Thursday, November 27th 2008, 6:43 pm

By: News 9


By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

TINKER AFB, Oklahoma -- It was a packed house Thursday in the dining hall at Tinker. Many enlisted servicemen and women brought their families there to celebrate their first thanksgiving meal together in years, as others gather together before another deployment.

Master Sergeant Michael Sommers finally got to enjoy a thanksgiving meal with his family.

"We don't celebrate holidays once a year," Sommers said. "We make points of doing this and being thankful all the time."

Holiday meals are few and far between. Sommers was deployed for the past three years, so this time, he make the most of it, even deciding against driving to Dallas to spent time with his parents.

One table away, the Walker family gathers for one last hurrah, as Zachary will be deployed next month.

"I'm actually leaving here soon, so I'm going to miss Christmas again," Walker said. "It's real nice to be able to sit down and eat with the family."

Tinker's dining hall was packed with families and servicemen looking to reconnect, and in some cases just reflect on their blessings.


Major General Loren Reno and his son, a lieutenant at McGuire Air Force base, spent part of the day serving the troops.

"I do it because the people of this base, the active duty and the retirees are an important part of me and my life," Reno said.

There were about 1,000 people who attended the meal at Tinker.

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