Thanksgiving a good time to reflect

  • Published
  • By Maj. LaVonne Shingler
  • 39th Contracting Squadron Commander
This has always been my favorite time of year. Beginning with Fall Harvest (caramel apples), the anticipation of the first snow (Minnesota native - red noses, tingly fingers and toes), through the welcoming of the New Year. I take this time to reflect on the past year, both the successes and disappointments.

With Thanksgiving coming, I am reminded to be thankful for family and friends. During the last year at Incirlik we have established an extended family, not blood-related, yet there is a common bond. My family had the opportunity to experience the support of our Incirlik family community during my deployment. The deployment was both a challenging and growing time for all involved.

It was this time that our various "Incirlik" family members reached out to help. You do it so often you may not realize the impact you have on one another, picking children up from school, making dinner or doing a child's hair for the family of a deployed spouse. That was huge! Normally these acts of kindness are done most often by family members.

I am thankful for the opportunity to fulfill my place in this family community as a friend, and even a sister at times. This is a once in a life time experience to be a part of a "community" who shows, through their actions, that they really do care.

As we go through this season, I encourage each of you to find your place in this "family" and fulfill your part. A little help goes along way. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for this Incirlik community and I consider you my extended family.