JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Soldiers at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere through the Mission Thanksgiving and Operation Home Cooking programs, respectively.
Mission Thanksgiving at started more than 20 years ago when area families and the installation chaplains joined to start a program providing an opportunity for Soldiers to take a break from training and enjoy Thanksgiving within a family environment.
On Nov. 24, local Army commanders invite people to welcome Soldiers into their home in recognition of Thanksgiving Day.
For many Soldiers, Thanksgiving will be their first major holiday away from home and their families. Soldiers are committed to their training and understand the sacrifice of their service, but for some, it can be lonely being away. The charity and dedicated support demonstrate the appreciation the community has for their service and sacrifice of their families.
Families will check in at Blesse Auditorium, located on the first floor of Willis Hall at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence between 7-8 a.m. Nov. 24.
After opening remarks by Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein, AMEDDC&S HRCoE commanding general, from 8-8:15 a.m., families and Soldier will depart at 8:15 a.m.
The Soldiers must return no later than 9 p.m. at the 232nd, 187th and 264th Medical Battalion areas.
While registration is already closed, maps detailing the Army’s 2016 Mission Thanksgiving at Fort Sam Houston are available by calling 295-6999 or 221-1271, sending an email to usarmy.jbsa.medcom-ameddcs.mbx.mission-thanksgiving@mail.mil or visiting http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/mission_thanksgiving.aspx.
Now in its 41st year, Operation Homecooking provides the opportunity for families to share their traditional Thanksgiving celebrations with Air Force Airmen and trainees.
Throughout the years, families have generously opened their homes to these young men and women, recognizing that many of them are away from home for the first time.
This program is designed for family participation and not intended for groups, which ensures everyone wanting to participate has an opportunity to do so. Last year, local residents hosted 3,440 Air Force members for Thanksgiving dinner.
Families within the San Antonio metropolitan area may invite two Airmen/trainees as a “general request.” To request an Airman/trainee under the “by name request” program, the requestor must be an immediate family member (e.g., parent, sibling or grandparent) and live in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. Exception will be for Airmen in the seventh week of training. To request an Airman/trainee through either category, call 671-5453, 671-5454 or 671-3701.
Requests can be made weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required to host Airmen/trainees. Families can’t show up on Thanksgiving Day “no notice/unannounced” and obtain trainees.
Due to heightened security measures, hosts without a current Department of Defense identification card are required to have a background check and visitor’s pass prior to entering military installations. Hosts can pick up their visitor’s pass at the Luke Gate Visitor Reception Center, which is open 24/7 and located off Military Drive, until Nov. 23.
Once the total number of Airmen/trainees eligible for the program, requests will stop being taken. The phone lines will remain open till Nov. 23 or until all eligible trainees have been requested, whichever occurs first. Anyone who calls after the total number of Airmen/trainees may be placed on a waiting list and called back if more hosts are required.
Out-of-town relatives who have trainees in basic training that will be graduating during Thanksgiving week may request them by name for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. Since trainees are not permitted to have personal transportation during training, hosts must pick up them up.
Airmen/trainees who are “general requests” will be picked up at the Pfingston Reception Center, building 6330while those who are “by name request” can be picked up from their respective squadrons on Thanksgiving Day between 7 and 11 a.m.
All Airmen and basic trainees must be returned back to their respective squadrons according to their designated return time, which will be no later than 7 p.m. Plan accordingly for traffic.