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Operation Homecooking Offers A Taste of Home

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Rosine

Going through basic military training is always difficult on trainees, especially over the holidays.

That is why for the past 31 years, Operation Homecooking has tried to serve up the flavors, family and feelings of the Thanksgiving holiday to hundreds of the Air Force's newest family members - trainees at Lackland Air Force Base here.

"My husband and I have been involved with Operation Homecooking for the past three consecutive years," said Cathy Jung, who works at Air Force Recruiting Service at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

She and her husband, Tech. Sgt. John Jung, "live very far away from our families. We have been unable to get home for Thanksgiving (many times) and so it has been wonderful for us to be able to open our doors to our extended Air Force family by inviting basic trainees to have Thanksgiving with us."

And the outreach to these young Airmen here is being felt all across the country.

"It kind of hit me this last weekend that it was almost Thanksgiving and Danny wouldn't be here," said Debbie Cunningham, mother of Airman Basic Daniel Phillips.

This is the first time Airman Phillips has been away from home for the holidays.

"To know that, even though we would love to have him here but if he can't be, to be able to know that he is going to be at somebody's home and be welcomed and be able to have a Thanksgiving holiday with a family means a lot," said the Missouri mom. "It means he is not just spending it by himself, in a dorm. I think it is wonderful."

This sentiment is shared by Larry Steward, father of Airman Basic Kyle Steward.

"I'm glad Uncle Sam is taking care of him," said the Georgia father. "We miss him and wish he was home. But, he's not, so we are glad that he won't be alone this Thanksgiving."

While the Thanksgiving Holiday is tough on these basic trainees, it is also hard on the ones they love the most. But, according to Cynthia Diebell, Operation Homecooking is making things a bit easier for her at home.

"Actually, it does," said the wife of Airman Basic Jeffrey Diebell from Washington. "Every year before we got married we would go over to one of our family's house, watch football and hang out."

It is comforting to know that he will be able to do that - like he was home, she said.

Feeling like home is the whole point behind Operation Homecooking.

"I think it is a wonderful thing that these families are doing," said Ms. Cunningham. "It is what we have always done here at our home in our family - open it up to other people who don't have a family at Thanksgiving. So it is wonderful that in turn this is being done for my son since he can't be here with us."

Whether they are sons or daughters, the Air Force's Airmen who participate in Operation Homecooking will be taken care of - like family.

"It is just wonderful to be able to open our home to the basic trainees and show them that by joining the Air Force not only are you serving your country but you've joined an extended family," Mrs. Jung said. "We are here for one another and we take care of one another. That is what we do."

Last year, more than 2,000 Airmen were able to experience Operation Homecooking for themselves. Each family that hosts an Airman, volunteers for the program by signing up with the 737th Training Group at Lackland AFB.

Source: U.S. Air Force