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JBSA-Fort Sam Houston leaders, DFAC staff thank the troops during Thanksgiving
December 5, 2024 — Senior leaders from the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence and other units on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston served Thanksgiving dinner to service members, retirees, and families at the Rocco and Slagel dining facilities on Nov. 28... MORE

Leaders and DFAC staff thank the troops during Thanksgiving

Austin brings holiday cheer to deployed service members
November 27, 2024 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III expressed gratitude, shared stories and offered encouragement to troops and their families who have sacrificed the comforts of home while serving their country... MORE

The secretary of defense smiles while sitting at a desk with flags visible in the background.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks honors service members in Thanksgiving message
November 27, 2024 — Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks delivered a message of gratitude, paying tribute to the sacrifices of U.S. service members, civilian personnel and their families... MORE

A soldier walks while holding a turkey with a building in the background.

Operation Home Cooking annual Thanksgiving tradition opens homes to Basic Military Trainees
October 29, 2024 — Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is now looking for approximately 400 host families to share Thanksgiving Day festivities with trainees who are currently in training and away from home during the holidays. ... MORE

Local San Antonio community gives back on Thanksgiving
November 28, 2023 — In a heartwarming demonstration of gratitude, “Giving back to those who serve” was a common theme among the more than 330 San Antonio families picking up Basic Military Training trainees on Thanksgiving Day for Operation Home Cooking... MORE

Thanksgiving fire safety: food for thought
November 21, 2023 — The countdown to consumption of turkey and all the trimming is on the horizon. The arrival of Thanksgiving also means many of us will be searching our closets for stretchy pants!... MORE

Staying safe in the kitchen: the most perilous room during Thanksgiving

MEDCoE Soldiers find home away from home this Thanksgiving
November 25, 2022 — People often say, “There is no place like home for the holiday.” This Thanksgiving, however, Soldiers found the next best thing at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 24, 2022... MORE

AFSVC delivers Thanksgiving slice of home to Airmen, Guardians
November 23, 2022 — For most, Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table with friends and family to celebrate life and express gratitude. However, the annual tradition can look a little different for service members and their families stationed far from home. ... MORE

JBSA dining facilities serving up traditional Thanksgiving fare
November 22, 2022 — The 502nd Force Support Group will provide traditional Thanksgiving meals on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022, for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsman, Airmen and Guardians. Selected facilities will be open to all Department of Defense ID cardholders and guests... MORE

A Thanksgiving tradition resumes at MEDCoE
November 30, 2021 — In what has become an Army tradition, senior leaders served Thanksgiving meals to Soldiers at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston dining facilities, or DFACs, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 2021... MORE

Alamo Wing senior leaders and honorary commanders, serve up Thanksgiving meal
November 9, 2021 — The 433rd Airlift Wing’s senior leaders and honorary commanders served a Thanksgiving meal to military service members at the Live Oak Dining Facility at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Nov. 6... MORE

Andrew Camplen, 433rd AW honorary commander, and Col. Nikhil Patel, 433rd Airlift Wing vice commander, serve food to an Air Force service member at the Live Oak Dining Facility Nov. 6, 2021, on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The “Serve our Airmen” event allowed honorary commanders to connect with military service members to help foster community relations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Wich)

Annual Thanksgiving tradition for JBSA-Lackland trainees returns in modified format
October 21, 2021 — The Operation Home Cooking tradition at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is returning this Thanksgiving, although not as expansive as in years past. The event will be open only to Department of Defense ID cardholders living in the San Antonio metropolitan area. There is a need for approximately 375 hosts; this year’s participants will be trainees assigned to the 321st and 322nd Training Squadrons – not all Basic Military Training personnel... MORE

Thanksgiving meal for 322nd TRS in November 2020

Basic Military Training grads celebrate first Thanksgiving as Airmen
November 30, 2020 — The 708 Airmen who graduated from Basic Military Training Nov. 25 enjoyed their first Thanksgiving in uniform at the 322nd Training Squadron Dining Facility at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Nov. 26... MORE

Airmen who graduated from Basic Military Training on Nov. 25 enjoy their first Thanksgiving meal in uniform at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Nov. 26.

Medical Center of Excellence leaders serve Thanksgiving luncheon
November 29, 2019 — Maj. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent and Command Sgt. Maj. Buck O'Neal, along with other U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence leaders, served Thanksgiving luncheon to Soldiers at the Slagel Dinning Facility at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 28... MORE

Maj. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent and Command Sgt. Maj. Buck O'Neal, along with other U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence leaders, served Thanksgiving luncheon to Soldiers at the Slagel Dinning Facility at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 28. The time-honored military tradition of senior leaders serving Thanksgiving Day dinner to Soldiers is an example of how military service is like an extended family. For many, this is their first time away from home and their first holiday away from home.

‘Mission Thanksgiving’ accomplished; local Soldiers enjoy a taste of home
November 29, 2019 — 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... MORE

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.

Holiday food preparation and safety tips for Thanksgiving
November 27, 2019 — Thanksgiving is this week and that often means a lot of cooking for holiday dinners. Improper storing and cooking of a turkey dinner can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria, and serving that dinner could cause food-borne illnesses... MORE

Thanksgiving meals are some of the largest prepared each year and come with a significant amount of stress. Preparing large meals requires the cook to juggle many “different pots” at the same time but getting the turkey roasted just right is main objective of most cooks.

Take an Air Force Trainee home for Thanksgiving with Operation Home Cooking
October 11, 2019 — San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere through “Operation Home Cooking.”... MORE

San Antonio area families can express their warmth and hospitality to Airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by allowing them an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal and family atmosphere through “Operation Home Cooking.”

Mission Thanksgiving registration open for Soldiers
October 10, 2019 — The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has opened registration for the 2019 Mission Thanksgiving to allow Soldiers a taste of home during the holidays... MORE

For many young Soldiers attending training at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Thanksgiving will 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.

Staying safe in the kitchen: the most perilous room during Thanksgiving
November 7, 2018 — The focal point of any American home during Thanksgiving will be the kitchen. This can be one of the most perilous rooms in the home if sound practices in cooking are not observed... MORE

The U.S. Fire Administration, or USFA, estimates 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential structures occur yearly in the United States. The leading culprit in these fires is cooking. These unattended fires most commonly transpire during the afternoon hour’s noon to 4 p.m. Twenty percent of the time during Thanksgiving smoke alarms were not present or not operational in an occupied home.

Thanksgiving brings joy to Brooke Army Medical Center patients, staff
December 7, 2017 — Brooke Army Medical Center celebrated Thanksgiving and Warrior Care Month with activities for Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers, their families, staff, patients and the community... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center commanding general Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson and Command Sgt. Maj. Diamond Hough help serve Thanksgiving dinner to more than 1,000 guests Nov. 23 in the BAMC Dining Room at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.