MUSA QAL’EH, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, gathered at a festively decorated chow hall to celebrate Thanksgiving with a traditional dinner, Nov. 25.
The dinner included turkey and ham, mash potatoes, yams, along with cake and pie.
“This is a serious holiday and it’s a big day for us,” said Cpl. Jacob M. Desrosiers, food service specialist with Headquarters and Service Company.
Being away from family is hard enough during a deployment, but the holiday season tends to make the separation all the harder, said Desrosiers.
“We’re happy to be able to provide this to the Marines, it’s important that the Marines are able to come together and celebrate,” said Desrosiers, a 21-year-old native of Wyandotte, Mich.
While deployed the small things make a huge difference in the Marines’ morale, said Lance Cpl. Malcolm Phillips, a food service specialist with H&S Company.
“Putting this dinner together shows that the battalion is making an effort to provide some comforts where they can, and show that they appreciate the Marines hard work,” said Phillips, a 22-year-old native of Hempstead, N.Y.
As the Marines and sailors walked into the chow hall it was obvious, from the smiles and laughs, how much they appreciated the festivities. While the Thanksgiving holiday came and went, the Marines and sailors of 1st Bn., 8th Marines cheerfully reminisced as they continued their efforts while deployed.