My First Thanksgiving in the Army

I remember my first Thanksgiving in the Army. I was in San Antonio, TX at Ft. Sam Houston. It was the first of many holidays I would spend away from family. The church on base had an outreach program that gave civilian families the opportunity to bring a soldier home for Thanksgiving. It was an amazing time. The kindness of folks to welcome strangers into their home was something I will never forget.

It reminds me of a time when the goodness of folks seemed to prevail. With a heart-filled welcome this family brought me into their home and changed my outlook on being away from my immediate family. This is truly when the military became more than just a group of men I would fight beside.

We all would go on to spend holidays away from our families, but our extended family would make the best out of any and all situations. Whether out on a mission or awaiting orders on a FOB, we did what we could to make each other laugh and forget, if only for that moment, where we were. We played Spades until our faces turned blue, and when we could, we played Madden on Playstation, sand volleyball/football, and other idiotic stuff to pass the time. The things soldier make up when they are bored is a sight to see.

Nonetheless, as Thanksgiving approaches, I am constantly reminded of how divided we are as a nation. The politics of serving our citizens seems to have overtaken the kindness and hope-filled welcome I experienced that Thanksgiving day from random strangers. I may be a romantic at heart imagining a world where the good prevails, where people feel loved and love back, and the challenges faced are focused on helping others and not exploiting them.

Hopeless, we cannot be. We are stronger together. We have seen that in the dark moments, but seem to have forgotten that in the darkest. I have fought beside Americans from every ethnic origin, and have seen folks pass away regardless of color, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. At the end of our lives death transcends any barrier we create. Thanksgiving is a time to remind us of what should truly be grateful for, one another.

"Over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts, far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving. On the appointed day, they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their children, for the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together, and for the faith which united them with their God." - President John F. Kennedy

The challenges we face, though potentially grave, are not unique. We have always prioritized our safety, the health of our families, and our ability to create wealth. What we lack now, among other things, is the love that binds us together as a nation, and the openness to allows others to embrace the faith they practice to unite with their God.

This Thanksgiving, be grateful for your family and your friends. Be grateful for your safety and your health. But also be grateful for a nation filled with diversity that bring diverse talents and skillsets. Be grateful for a difference in opinion and having an openness to listen and hopefully grow. Be grateful that you have things to be grateful for. Most of all, be grateful for one another.