Photo By Spc. William Hatton | Sgt. Christopher Rogers, a native of Washington, Ill., and Sgt. Sergio Martinez, a...... read more read more
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By Spc. L.B. Edgar,
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - This wasn't Grandma's house, but the table was full of people. They came from over the river and through woods, did route clearing, stood guard and made it in for a traditional meal.
Yet, something is missing at this year's Thanksgiving Day feast. The meal is complete, but unfortunately the families of many Soldiers are absent from the annual festivities.
Far from home, Soldiers of the Multi-National Division-Baghdad spent Thanksgiving with each other, rather than their families.
For some Soldiers this is not a new experience. Sgt. John Eldridge, 372nd Military Police Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, is deployed for a second time and will miss sharing a turkey with his family again, he said.
This year for Turkey Day, the light-wheel mechanic took a break from inventorying the motor pool, to partake in a Thanksgiving Day feast with fellow Soldiers.
"(It's) not so bad," the 25-year-old said. "You get kind of used to it. It's like having your family here with you."
Though Eldridge won't be dining on his grandmother's cornbread stuffing and watching Dallas and Detroit do battle, he said he was still able to chow down on his favorite Thanksgiving Day dish - macaroni and cheese, and catch some gridiron action later in the evening.
This year's Thanksgiving is bittersweet for the native of Washington, D.C., because after nearly one year deployed, he said he's headed home just in time for Christmas.
"It feels good because we'll make it home for Christmas to see our families," said the father of two. "This is our last celebration in Iraq. I'm thankful I made it through another year in Iraq."
For other Soldiers the experience of being deployed for the holidays is a foreign concept.
Pfc. Davina Medina, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, would rather be home with her son than fighting in the Global War on Terrorism this Thanksgiving.
However, the intelligence analyst said she would settle for the next best thing, a telephone call home to talk to her son, who sleeps while his mother ate turkey and stuffing half-a-world away.
On a normal Thanksgiving, the native of Azusa, Calif., could be found cooking, eating and sleeping all day. But this year, she is serving in her chosen profession as a Soldier.
Though the 18-month Army veteran will miss her favorite dish, Ecuadorian stuffing, compliments of her grandfather, she said there is a positive side to deploying for Thanksgiving.
"You don't have to cook or clean up," she said. Medina said she takes comfort knowing her family is comfortable at home.
Even though Soldier's sacrifice by missing holidays with their loved ones, they don't spend the holidays alone. This year, Soldiers on Camp Liberty are spending Thanksgiving Day as a military family.
| Date Taken: | 11.28.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2006 11:38 |
| Story ID: | 8407 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 374 |
| Downloads: | 263 |
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