About 100 National Guardsmen spent their Thanksgiving watching the U.S.-Mexico border in the U.S. Border Patrol's Yuma sector, but — thanks to a local veterans' organization — they did not miss their turkey dinner.
SGT. 1ST CLASS STEPHEN RUTH (right) eats a Thanksgiving lunch Thursday afternoon while observing the U.S.-Mexico border along the Levee Road near County 11th Street. Ruth is one of several guardsmen from the Washington Army National Guard. He said he was thankful and surprised to hear they were going to receive a Thanksgiving meal.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8242 lent their kitchen to the National Guard. They helped the soldiers cook a holiday dinner. The meal was delivered to the guardsmen at the border, where they got to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast while working on their mission.
"They're bringing out all the fixings," said Sgt. Stephen Brown of the Washington state guard. "Turkey, gravy ... everything."
Brown said they were not expecting to receive the meal.
"We figured we'd get dinner when we got back. Pizza or a burger," he said. "So it's a nice surprise."
Brown was one of the men working at an entry identification team site on the border Thursday.
There are four guardsmen stationed at several spots along the border, working in 24-hour shifts.
PFC. NORMA GARIBAY (left) receives a plate of turkey and other Thanksgiving trimmings Thursday along the Levee Road and the Colorado River. Lt. Col. Steve Donnelly (right) was one of the servers of the holiday meal. PHOTOS BY JACOB LOPEZ/THE SUN
They are there as part of Operation Jumpstart, an effort to help secure the border while the U.S. Border Patrol hires and trains new agents. The guardsmen are helping with surveillance in forward operating bases along the border.
"We serve as a visible, physical presence," said Maj. Paul Babeu, Guard commander for the Yuma sector. "We do not do any enforcement. We identify activity and report that to law enforcement, who respond."
There are personnel from 10 different states deployed to the Yuma sector. Brown, originally from Washington, said the guardsmen understand that being away from home is part of their duty. However, that does not make it easy.
"We're homesick," Brown said. "For some of them, it's their first time away from home. But we're out here, doing our mission."
He added that he and the rest of the guardsmen were grateful for the local VFW's support.
"It's a big uplifter for us," Brown said. "It lets us know that the community cares. That there are other veterans out here that understand what we're going through."
Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.
