627th FSS hosts Thanksgiving dinner at McChord Field

Published Nov. 29, 2011
By David Poe
Northwest Guardian

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airmen continue to show they take care of birds both on the flight line and the dinner line by hosting a Thanksgiving meal at McChord's Olympic Dining Facility, Nov. 24.

Airmen from 627th Force Support Squadron and their contractors spent 24 hours cooking top-shelf roast, ham and turkey and more than 50 other dish options, all prepared with care and according to Tech. Sgt. Sarah Butcher, Olympic Dining Facility manager, a little bit of love.

"Definitely, they love it," Butcher said, who's served in the Air Force for 19 years. "Those who couldn't make it home still deserve a home-cooked meal."

Butcher added that the Thanksgiving meal at McChord was not just a product of her section of the 627th FSS, but the entire squadron. Also, as per tradition, leaders volunteered from across McChord Field either left their dinner tables at home, or brought their tables with them to come serve dinner to other Airmen, along with their families and retirees and their families. Col. R. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, brought his family with him because being at Olympic was a chance to "take care of Airmen."

"It's important that we take care of our Airmen and we preach that all of the time," Elder said, "and 'Airmen' includes our civilians, our retirees and our Families."'

More than 300 guests lined up for the late morning meal which was served well into the evening. He added that having no reason to have an on-base Thanksgiving dinner would be ideal as it means everyone was able to go home and see their families and friends, but the Air Force's global mission continues to be too busy for such a luxury.

"That's not the way the Air Force is -- there are too many deployments, too many at a time, so here, this is their opportunity to get a traditional American feast on Thanksgiving," Elder said. "It's important that we have a place for them, as well as have the commanders, chiefs and first sergeants (serve the meal) so that our Airmen know we care about them and we're taking care of them both on and off duty."

Butcher, who's coordinated these on-base Thanksgiving meals for five years now at McChord Field, and more than 10 years in the Air Force overall, said she understands why leaders feel getting on the line is important every Thanksgiving season.

"It shows that it's important to them to get out and see their Airmen," she said, "and it's also a good way to say 'thanks' and genuinely wish them a happy Thanksgiving."

Airman 1st Class Gonzalo Guerrero, from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, made his way from the nearby dormitories and said if he couldn't be at his own family's table this year, he was sure not to miss the meal at Olympic.

"The food looks great," he said as he made his way to an open seat in the dining area. "I appreciate that I can be away from my family and still have a place to come get a great meal today."