Often, the least traditional Thanksgivings make the best memories. From the middle of the ocean to the wilderness, from the desert to the DFAC, U.S. service members celebrate Thanksgiving anywhere Uncle Sam sends 'em. While the holiday feasts may be different, the sentiment is the same.
We asked our readers to share their stories about America's favorite holiday, and you responded in force. "Memorable" may not always mean "heartwarming" in these reminiscences, but they will stick with you long after you finish reading. Here are nine of the most memorable military Thanksgiving tales, as told by service members and veterans.
Some selections have been edited for length and clarity.
Restricted for the Day
"1989, in Port Subic Bay [in the Philippines]. The day prior to Thanksgiving, we had to sortie to avoid a typhoon. Even though we left San Diego a couple months prior, this sortie looked like we'd never been to sea before. Circuits weren't patched correctly into CIC [the combat information center] or the bridge. [It was] generally a 'charlie foxtrot.'
"The captain was not happy, so on the morning of Thanksgiving, he called all of the officers into the wardroom and told us that we needed to stay aboard that day to do a deep dive into what was messed up and how to be better. Basically, we were restricted to the ship.
"For dinner, we went down to the mess decks. One of the officers threw on his mess uniform. We had a good time doing that.
"Then later, when the muster for restricted men was called, a bunch of us charged down to the mustering point and lined up. The poor on-duty MAA [master-at-arms] couldn't figure out what to do, when at that moment the CO and XO came down the nearby ladder. I recall the CO had this look of 'I should be really po'd at these JO's down here, but darn it, I would have done the same thing' on his face."
-- Joe, Navy
A Family Affair
"Thanksgiving dinner in Balad [in Iraq] with my nephew who is also in [the] Air Force. We deployed together. General [Oliver] North was serving our meal. [The] visit from [a] senior leader on that day showed support for his Airmen. We got a few pics."
-- Gena, Army
One for the History Books
"Thanksgiving Day, 1990: the day I shook hands with the Commander-in-Chief, at an air base in Saudi Arabia."
-- Clay, Army
Extra Special
"I was deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom in August 2009 to February 2010, so we were there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. If it wasn't for the camaraderie of the Airmen stationed with me, it would have really sucked! It was very special because we were able to bar-be-que and have some side dishes to make Thanksgiving extra special."
-- Tony, Air Force
Memorable for All the Wrong Reasons
"Food poisoning from T-Ration stuffing in Kandahar, 2002. Ugh."
-- Stephen, Army
A Generally Good Day
"While embarked in the frigate USS Underwood (FFG-36), operating in the North Sea as part of NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic in 1987, my crew got tasked to fly our SH-60B to RAF Mildenhall, England to pick up critical parts on Thanksgiving Day. We didn't think much of missing lunch aboard, and we were happy to get ashore for a couple of hours. Lo and behold, when we went into the US Air Force chow hall to grab lunch, the General was cheerfully serving the line. It was doubtlessly a good USAF tradition, but it was a pleasant surprise for us. As frigate aviators, we didn't hang around flag and general officers much. Pretty good chow, too."
-- Dave, Navy
A Real Treat
"In 1982, I was in Korea and it was cold. We ate out of mess kits. What I remember most is that we were served ice cream. It was a real treat."
-- Wayne, Marine Corps
A Jordanian Thanksgiving
"I remember Thanksgiving in Jordan a couple years ago. Jordanians are a very hospitable group and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. In addition to the usual holiday fare, we had lots of Jordanian specialties as well. And the DFAC was set up like a disco. Not sure why, but it was memorable for sure!"
-- Todd, Army
A Thanksgiving Dust-up
"I was at the National Training Center in 1985 supporting a brigade from the 5th Infantry Division and about to start a training rotation that went from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We arrived a few days before Thanksgiving and set our tents up in the Dust Bowl. We were lucky enough to have a field kitchen with us, so they cooked a nice, traditional Thanksgiving dinner for us. The only problem was the dust storm that decided to blow in right at serving time. I still remember the added grit to the turkey dressing! It's the only Thanksgiving dinner that I have had without a table to sit at, but I appreciated that the mess team did their best to bring home and a holiday celebration to the day."
-- Susan, Army
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