Photo By Rachel Larue | Participants dance after eating during the 13th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon Cruise on...... read more read more
WASHINGTON - Thanksgiving came early for more than 350 service members, veterans and retirees who boarded the Odyssey cruise ship Nov. 25 for the 13th annual Thanksgiving cruise down the Potomac River.
Part of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s community outreach program, the popular event was hosted by the Washington Waterfront Association and Entertainment Cruises of Washington.
“This cruise is a perfect example of an event that can only be hosted here in the National Capital Region, bringing together service members from all branches of our services, alongside wounded warriors and out veterans,” said JBM-HH commander Col. Mike Henderson, who attended along with Command Sgt. Maj. Randall Woods, the joint base’s senior enlisted adviser. “It was a tremendous way to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Guests included wounded warriors from the Warrior in Transition unit at Fort Belvoir, single service members and geographical bachelors/bachelorettes from throughout the National Capital Region, as well as veterans from the Armed Forces Retirement Home and disabled veterans from Washington.
Dan Leaman, vice president and general manager of Entertainment Cruises, explained that everything, from the ship to the food to the staff, was donated.
“It really is our honor to host you today as a thank you for your service,” he said.
After pushing back from its berth at the Southwest Washington Waterfront Marina, the Odyssey traveled through Washington Channel and made its way down the Potomac River, traveling up to Georgetown and back, providing guests with views of the Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center and other well-known landmarks.
Charles Felder, who served in the Marine Corps, Air Force and Army and now resides at the retirement home, said the cruise has become an annual tradition for him.
“I think it’s outstanding,” he said after dancing with Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington’s Public Affairs Office. “This is great.”
Henderson Hall Marines Cpl. Mark Quesenberry and Cpl. Kevin Wold shared stories with veterans and later lit up the dance floor with their moves.
“Being with the veterans and people who made us what we are today is simply an amazing, spectacular moment,” Quesenberry said.
“Good music, great food,” Wold said. “It’s really an honor to get to spend time with our wounded warriors and veterans.”
The D.C. Metropolitan Police harbor patrol provided the ship with an escort throughout the cruise.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2014 17:40 |
| Story ID: | 149443 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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