What Are You Thankful For?
Thursday, November 22, 2012
That was the question on a hot desert day 10 years ago, I was sitting at a table in the MFO Chow hall at South Camp in the Sinai with Lee, Illiad, Steve, Katie, Brandon, Ken, Matt, and Leo and we were enjoying one of the best Thanksgiving Day spreads that I have ever had away from home.
I noted at the time that it was the first time during a deployment that I wasn't on QRF on Thanksgiving (just my luck) but as an added bonus (if you could look at it like that) that I was in a place where it was going to be over 100 degrees that day...
So, I went around the table and asked everyone "what are you thankful for?" and because they are soldiers, with type A+ personalities and families might read this; I will spare everyone what the real answers from soldiers were to that question. (God Bless Joe... Has an answer for every question...).
The takeaway at the end of the meal, with bellies full of turkey and pie, and melancholy hearts was that we were thankful to be together, because if we couldn't be home, we were together with friends. We were thankful that we drew this good deployment (if there ever was a deployment that could be called "good"), because the next one would certainly not be nearly as comfortable. We were thankful that the food was hot and plentiful and didn't come out of a wrapper that said "Diced Turkey With Gravy." We were thankful to be stationed in a place where there was alcohol, because it was great to hoist a cold one with friends after a long day of work.
Today, far from that place and time, I am thankful that I will be able to spend this time at home with family and friends; mindful of the fact that many of my brothers and sisters are serving overseas and are on duty around the world who will have their turkey and trimmings brought to them by the Sergeant of the Guard on a paper tray. I am thankful for the opportunity to have served with some of the finest men and women I have ever come to know. God Bless my comrades and all those still serving and may they enjoy the blessings of this day, whether they be at home or standing a post somewhere far from home.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and now, if you will excuse me, I hear another large slice of pumpkin pie calling my name...