Community gives Airmen a Thanksgiving away from home Published Nov. 30, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For the 32nd year in a row, Sheppard brought Thanksgiving to troops serving away from home with Operation Thanksgiving Nov. 26. This year more than 260 Airmen were welcomed to a "home away from home" to enjoy a home-cooked meal and socializing. More than 110 families volunteered to host Airmen. Loretta Mullin, a member of the local community, hosted three Airmen this year and has participated in Operation Thanksgiving for five years, she said. "I have family in the Army and Air Force and I hope someone would do the same for them," said Mrs. Mullin. The Airmen Mrs. Mullin sponsored were very appreciative of her hospitality for different reasons. Airman 1st Class Jeff Brice, 361st Training Squadron student, said he wanted to experience the other side of Operation Thanksgiving. "Both of my parents were Air Force and we've hosted Airmen before, so it was really nice for me to experience the other side of things," he said. Airman Mario Aguilar, 362nd TRS student, said he felt like he belonged. "I couldn't be home with my family, so to be able to spend time with someone else's family makes me feel like I belong somewhere," he said. Jacob McDaniel, Operation Thanksgiving coordinator from the 82nd Training Wing chaplains' office, said Operation Thanksgiving gave trainees of all branches at Sheppard a chance to have a sit-down meal on Thanksgiving in a family environment.