Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness.
However, Thanksgiving and its celebrations may look a bit different on a military base. Many families may not have the chance to see one another during the holiday season, but people in the military have begun their own traditions to keep the festivities alive.
Picnic Celebration
When military members have children, they cannot wait to take them to the yearly Thanksgiving feast on base. Many bases offer a traditional family meal that can be fun for the whole family. Every base celebrates differently, some with a picnic and some with a dining facility Thanksgiving so be sure to ask what’s happening for Thanksgiving on your base!
Last year on Fort Bragg, Col. Elizabeth “Liz” Curtis helped prepare and serve soldiers and their families saying, “Thanksgiving is a time to be very thankful for all that we have and really to bring our families together. It's an Army tradition where we serve. We have a chance as leaders to thank not only our soldiers, but the families as well.”
Most IHG® Army Hotels host a Thanksgiving celebration, so be sure to reach out if you’re staying on post for the holiday.
Host Friendsgiving
If you live on base, you can host a Friendsgiving celebration. Friendsgiving mirrors traditional Thanksgiving, yet it is your closest friends who gather with you around the table.
Invite new and old friends from your childhood and those who live on base with you. Thanksgiving is about togetherness, so what better way to celebrate than to invite some of your favorite people and prepare a home-cooked meal for everyone to enjoy?
Non-traditional Thanksgiving Meals
Not every person who celebrates Thanksgiving opts for the traditional turkey dinner, as many military members are from different cultures and backgrounds. Plus, many service members have served abroad and been exposed to more culinary cuisine they may want to incorporate into Thanksgiving dinner.
Military bases are a great place to try new cuisines as much more can be served than mashed potatoes and gravy. The dining hall may offer pernil—slow-roasted pork shoulder—and rice and beans, traditional Latin American fare. Other options may include turkey made a different way than on-the-bone such as “rolled up turkey”, a YouTube fan fave.
Share a Meal for Thanksgiving
If you want to give back, you can share a meal and spread holiday cheer by volunteering your time. What a great way to teach your children what it means to be thankful.
Here are a few options to consider:
- Adopt a Servicemember Program for Thanksgiving
- Check with your local VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) to volunteer and donate food
- Donate to Armed Services YMCA
- Check with your local church to see their support groups for free Thanksgiving meals
- Free Meals for the Holidays is operated by Operation Homefront with different availabilities for each base
- Donate a care package to troops overseas
- Donate to your local food bank
- Donate to your local participating grocery store to help families in need
Competitive Sports
Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving without sports. If you can’t find a football game to watch on TV , odds are, you can find local venues with competitive sports for military members and their family members to participate in.
These sports can include:
- Three-legged race
- Spoon and egg carry race
- Scooter races
- Sack races
- Cornhole tournaments
Chances are, there will be fabulous prizes for the winners, such as a homemade pie, a turkey day medal, and of course, bragging rights.
5K Races
What better way to burn off calories from that Thanksgiving feast than to opt in for a 5k race? Some families may prefer to do the run before their meal, but many choose to participate in the racing fun after to help settle the meal.
All across the country on many different military bases, 5k races are gaining speed and popularity. This can be a new tradition not only on base but at home, where everyone has fun and enjoys fitness activities together.
Veterans Join in on the Fun
Even if you or your loved one is not on active duty in the military, veterans are always welcome to join Thanksgiving celebrations on base. Bases typically conduct local outreach to ensure all veterans know about scheduled Thanksgiving celebrations. Veterans can offer some of the best stories and shared experiences with their brothers and sisters on active duty. They can truly add to the feeling of gratitude and togetherness as no one can understand what military members and their families experience unless they are a part of the community.
Family is Only a Phone Call Away
It is vital to remember that togetherness does not necessarily mean in person. Many digital options are available that can make it feel like your loved ones are right there with you.
Take advantage of technology and the ability to simply press a button; family is right around the corner. Military members can share some of their special day with family during Skype and Zoom sessions to keep traditions and memories alive. Then, everyone can continue the celebrations with other members of the community.
Living or visiting a military base does not have to stop you from enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday. Tens of thousands of military members, veterans, and military families enjoy holiday traditions together on base. With over 70 hotel locations across 40 U.S. Army bases, IHG® Army Hotels looks forward to welcoming you this holiday season.