Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy the festivities of the holiday season, while focusing on the things they are most grateful for.
On Nov. 27, Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island took the time to celebrate Thanksgiving together at sea.
One of the difficulties of being on deployment is being away from family and friends for a long period of time with little to no contact. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jose Rodriguez, a gas turbine system technician mechanic aboard the Makin Island, said he misses his family more than ever during the holiday season.
Troops ‘Feel Like a Family’
“Usually right about now, my family would be going crazy trying to cook all the food and get it ready before the rest of my friends and family get to the house,” said Rodriguez, who hails from North Arlington, New Jersey. “It’s been tough out here at times but at least the ship does its best to kind of make us feel like a family.”
Culinary specialists with the Makin Island prepared a special, traditional Thanksgiving meal for the Marines and sailors, aboard, which required significantly more time and effort to prepare.
“It’s good that we get to do something special for everyone,” said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrea Buckahmjack, a culinary specialist aboard the Makin Island and Queens, New York, native. “I think this meal is less about the food itself and it’s more like a gesture of appreciation for the hard work we put in every day.”
Personnel from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit enjoyed a full-fledged meal in the mess decks, interacting with one another and giving thanks.
“I wasn’t really expecting anything for the holidays this year,” said Marine Corps Cpl. Joshua Hamel, a data analyst with the 11th MEU who hails from Milford, New Hampshire. “It was kind of nice to get a good, cooked meal for Thanksgiving while everyone is away and all. I guess you can say that’s what I’m thankful for this year.”
Celebrating Thanksgiving at Sea
Officers and staff noncommissioned officers served food to junior Marines and sailors as a way of showing their gratitude for their hard work and to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with their troops. Marines, like Lance Cpl. Brayden Reynolds, a Marine Air Ground Task Force planner and New Orleans native, appreciated its meaning.
“I’ve only been in the Marine Corps for a year and some change, so I’ve always seen officers as these big bosses that you should never mess with or talk to unless addressed,” Reynolds said. “For me, days like today are what keep us going and for the officers and staff NCOs to do something like that is really cool."
Along with a delicious meal, activities like turkey bowling and a 5-kilometer run were coordinated on the ship to promote camaraderie between the Marines and sailors.
The 11th MEU is a rapid-response force ready to execute operations and provide support when called upon.