Pfc. Clark Boothe, left, and Pfc. Tanner Guillette enjoy a traditional homemade Thanksgiving meal during a Thanksgiving celebration at the Roadhouse at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 27, 2014. Service members from the air station who weren’t able to be with family for the holiday enjoyed time together eating, playing games and watching football. Boothe and Guillette are both students at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training.

Photo by Cpl. Grace L. Waladkewics

Marines, Sailors enjoy Thanksgiving dinner

2 Dec 2014 | Cpl. Grace L. Waladkewics Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --

The smell of turkey and pies filled the air in the Roadhouse as hungry Marines and Sailors from various units at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., lined up for a homemade Thanksgiving dinner, Nov. 27, 2014.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together. Service members who couldn’t be home spent the day enjoying a home cooked meal, playing games and watching football together.

The service members came together to enjoy a traditional feast served by Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general and his family; Col. Chris Pappas III, air station commanding officer and his family; and members of the Marine Corps League.

“Being a part of serving Thanksgiving dinner to the Marines and Sailors has become a part of our family tradition now,” said Hedelund. “Being able to be a part of this is great. We are giving thanks for their service by serving them.”

Hedelund stressed the importance of Marines taking care of one another during the holiday season.

“We always want to make sure that no matter where a Marine is on an important day like today, that they have a place to go and get a good meal,” said Hedelund. “This is an opportunity for them to feel that they are part of a family here and everyone has a good time and enjoys a meal together.”

Marines who attended echoed Hedelund’s sentiment.

“I think it is really important for the air station to hold events like this because it helps build the Marines morale and keeps them busy during the holidays,” said Lance Cpl. Phil Saulnier, an electronics technician with Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28. “This is a great way to keep them out of the barracks; it prevents them from being lonely, especially over a long weekend. The best part about it though, is the amount of fun we have.”

No service member should have to be alone on a special day like Thanksgiving, said Saulnier.

“The Marines and Sailors are all just one big family, it’s about taking time out during the holidays to appreciate each other,” said Saulnier.