JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Mission Thanksgiving 2019 was declared a success, as more than 300 community members volunteered to host more than 800 Soldiers from the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 28.
For many young Soldiers attending training at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Thanksgiving was be their first major holiday away from their home and family.
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.
The MEDCoE command team of Maj. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent and Command Sgt. Maj. William "Buck" O'Neal were on hand to speak to the area families and outgoing Soldiers about the event, now in existence for more than two decades.
The long-running annual tradition of Mission Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for Soldiers to take a break from training and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday away from the installation, hosted by members of the community in their home.
The Medical Professional Training Brigade Command Team and Cadre, lead planners for this year’s event, were instrumental in ensuring registration went smoothly and Soldiers left with their respective families without a hitch.