Thanksgiving Redefined

Thanksgiving has long been one of my favorite times of the year. Time off from work, spent with friends and family, enjoying the best meal of the year and watching lots of football! But living on a military base only magnifies little events, like holidays, where extra measures are taken to bring a sense of home to everyone over here.

Monday thru Wednesday I hit the gym hard and gave special attention to eating healthy. Thursday, finally, sweet Thanksgiving meal Thursday, you’re here! I was thoroughly impressed with the spread: turkey, ham, roast beef (there was literally a small cow on a cutting board, sliced to order), dressing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, collard greens, jalapeño cornbread, and cranberry sauce. A big thanks to all the DFAC workers who did such an outstanding job!!

After all that deliciousness, pumpkin pie with cool whip and vanilla ice cream was the only possible improvement. Yes, we have Baskin-Robbins ice cream available every lunch and dinner, for free!

After a semi-productive afternoon at the office, much of which involved digesting my 3,500 calorie lunch, it was dinner time. I typically forego dinner and go to the gym instead. Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, so I figured I’d take full advantage. Besides, many coworkers were making the trip over and it made for a good opportunity to socialize with my newfound family. I told myself I’d just have something light – haha, right, that never happens – and ended up instead with another massive plate of everything the DFAC had to offer. I opted for the homemade cheesecake this time for dessert and was not disappointed.

Let me jump back, in a Quentin Tarantino fashion, to breakfast. When I got into the office around six, Ron had just gotten off the phone with his dad and wanted to share a request he had; “Please shake the hands of some soldiers, wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, and tell them thank you for all they do from an 83 year old veteran back in the US.” It was the least we could do. We headed to the DFAC shortly thereafter and carried out his request as we left. It’s amazing what a brief conversation can do in terms of changing someone’s demeanor and, quite possibly, even making their day. It’s one of those things that can only be understood firsthand and I am most thankful for such an opportunity.

In keeping with the chill holiday atmosphere, everyone in my office decided it would be the perfect time for a movie night. We hooked up a projector and watched The Hangover – couldn’t have made a more ironic choice. A good time was had by all, after many laughs, and we still quote Alan’s wolfpack speech and Stu’s song about Doug…hilarious!

I received my first shipment of books in the mail and have started reading Inside Delta Force: The Story of America’s Elite Counterterrorist Unit. It’s what inspired the TV series, The Unit, which I got hooked on just before deployment and watched in its entirety in less than two weeks. Cory, thanks for introducing me...I would highly recommend it to all!

Finally, to top off Thanksgiving, I walked into my tent and immediately discovered a certain void of people. Namely, all the subcontractors that were the very source of my frustration the previous week. What a relief! Inexplicable, but I’ll gladly take it and be thankful. Living conditions are so much better now.

There you have it; Thanksgiving redefined, by one Kevin Taylor, in the middle of Afghanistan! I’m thankful to be here, healthy, surrounded by great coworkers and brave soldiers, enjoying this wonderful opportunity. I’m very blessed. Only thing I’m missing is all my friends and family. I love you and am very thankful to have you in my life!!