Karen Johnson, taking Soldiers home for the second year, meets Pvt. Corey Chapman from California and Pvt. Lucas Avery from Nevada at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center while her husband stayed at home preparing Cornish hens and mashed potatoes on the...

Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Riles and Maj. Gen Russell Czerw present a framed thank you note with commanders' coins to Jennifer Lutz, Valero Thanksgiving Day event coordinator. The Valero Volunteer Council hosted 400 soldiers assigned to the 32nd Medica...

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Approximately 400 Soldiers assigned to the 32nd Medical Brigade stood in formation in the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center waiting to be released to San Antonio area Families for Thanksgiving Day activities.

Another 400 Soldiers assigned to the 32nd Medical Brigade boarded buses taking them to the Valero Corporation hanger for Thanksgiving Dinner, football games and parades on multiple television screens, plus lots of thank-you greetings from Valero volunteers.

The two events have become a holiday tradition at Fort Sam Houston. Mission Thanksgiving started more than 20 years ago when area Families and the post chaplains joined to start a program providing an opportunity for Soldiers to take a break from training and enjoy a Thanksgiving Day within a family environment. Recognizing that there may not be enough Families to host all the Soldiers training at the Army Medical Department Center and School, the Valero Volunteer Council began inviting Soldiers to their corporate headquarters five years ago to thank them for their service and offer a traditional dinner prepared by Valero chefs and served by Valero employees.

Both events are a huge hit with Soldiers, many of whom are serving away from their Families for the first time.