Pararescue trainees treated to Thanksgiving feast

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  What started out 10 years ago with a pot of chili for a few Airmen has turned into an annual Thanksgiving feast for more than 100 pararescue trainees from the 342nd Training Squadron, Detachment 1.

The event is put on by members of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Contracting Division.

"We just wanted to do something nice for our troops," said John Webb, chief organizer.

Webb said that 10 years ago he gave some Airmen leftover chili from a potluck. He noticed how appreciative they were and the seeds were planted to do something regularly and on a grander scale. He's been organizing a big dinner every year since.

"It has become a big tradition with them; something they look forward to every year," he said.

This year's dinner was another success, with more than 100 trainees being fed, but it didn't match last year's total of 250 attendees. It has become so big that local businesses are getting involved.

"JRs BBQ provided turkey and ham at cost, and it's paid for by a generous donation from Kirtland Federal Credit Union," Webb said. "We couldn't put this on without their support."