Turkey tales: 512th AW members share Thanksgiving traditions

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  (Editor's note: This is the first in a series of three stories about Thanksgiving.)

The Thanksgiving holiday has evolved from a three-day harvest feast in 1621 to a one-day meal, celebrated on the last Thursday of the month. As the holiday itself has varied, so has the manner in which people commemorate the occasion, especially within the 512th Airlift Wing.

Some wing members have shared some of their Thanksgiving Day traditions.

"We converge on our family Lake House in Virginia and have a major reunion. The lake house is heated by fireplace and lots of drinks. There's no TV, no cell phone signal, no video games - just board games, lots of food and great family stories."
Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Ford, 512th Maintenance Squadron

"When the Detroit Lions were worth watching, many of the kids and dads would go to the game while the moms cooked in peace. Dinner was ready when we got home. The Lions have played at home on Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember."
Lt Col Gretchen Kurlander, 512th Logistics Readiness Flight

"When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was the day that everyone got together for a feast including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and more. Our dinner table usually had at least 15 - 20 people. However, now there is only my spouse and kids, so we developed our own little tradition. Instead of Turkey, we all pitch in and bake the dinner together. We serve individual Cornish game hens that the kids get to help prepare. We bake homemade bread from scratch and just have a small special dinner."
Senior Master Sgt. Raenita Monroe, 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron

"We go to Ronny's Market after dinner to kick off the holiday season."
Pamela Withrow, 512th Mission Support Squadron

"We go shopping after dinner."
Maj. Cathy Anderson, 512th Mission Support Squadron

"We always invite someone outside of the family to dinner, usually someone with no local family."
Chief Master Sgt. Gary Green, 512th Maintenance Squadron

"We eat Turkey livers fried in butter for an appetizer."
Tech. Sgt. Athena Mercer, 712th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

Of those polled in the wing about their Thanksgiving traditions, 60 percent eat turkey, 30 percent eat both ham and turkey, while 10 percent eat something unusual. Fifty percent watch both the Macy's Day Parade and football, 40 percent watch neither while 10 percent watch football only.

While Liberty Wing members have diverse cultures and backgrounds, celebrating Thanksgiving differently, there's one thing that's constant - food is involved. Be sure to read the next article in this series, highlighting Thanksgiving Day food blunders.