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General sends special Thanksgiving message

  • Published
  • By Maj. Gen. Loren Reno
  • Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Commander
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  To the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Airmen, both military and civilian, Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I would like to share my thoughts with you.

I have been amazed at the generosity I have seen on and off base this year. You, and the others at Tinker, have given more than $1.8 million to the Combined Federal Campaign - the most ever by Tinker and well over the $1.65 million goal. While we were gearing up to be generous with the community, they, in turn, were following through on a May 13 election pledge to give us access to the old General Motors Plant. I am grateful to be working with and around such giving people.

My mind also races to our Airmen who are deployed, preparing to deploy or recovering from deployments to Southwest Asia. You may have heard me say that we deployed more than 8,000 folks from Tinker and yes, some were civilians. I am grateful for the commitment, service before self and sacrifice of those who deploy. I am also very grateful for those who serve here and reach out to help those who are "forward."

Year-round, nine times every hour we deliver an aircraft, engine, module or component to the warfighter! I am thankful to be working with such dedicated people who extend such outstanding warfigher support.

In closing, in my mind's eye, I see families sitting around the Thanksgiving Day table even before this day happens. It is our families who have supported us while we have been busy serving, and we have been busy this year. I'm going to take some time on Thursday to be sure my family knows how much I appreciate them and their service to our nation and to me. I shall remember and acknowledge all that I am thankful for; I hope you'll consider doing the same.

We all have so much to be grateful for, and Thanksgiving serves as a gentle reminder. My thoughts will be with you as I celebrate on Thursday. I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!