While many of you got to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with your families, hundreds of soldiers stationed at Redstone Arsenal were unable to make it home.

 1,100 soldiers in training that can't make it home for Thanksgiving are being served at the arsenal "I'm from New Mexico and this is my first Thanksgiving away from family it's kind of weird and sad but you're getting really good food over here," said soldier, Justin Nichols.

  The Thanksgiving Day feast is a 200 year old Army tradition. Several senior officers come in to serve the meal.

"When our soldiers can't be with their families we want to put our arms around them and hug them a little closer and say that your part of the Army family as well as your own family and thank you for your selfless service," said Major General Myles.

   It's a show of appreciation the soldiers recognize. "It was really sweet of them to take time away from their own families to be here with us because they know we're lonely right now," said soldier, Danielle Benton.

"It was intimidating at first but it's really good for morale because we get to see that the Lt. Commanders care for us and they are taking time away from their family to actually serve us," said Nichols.   What they served looked pretty good, from the turkey and fixin's to desserts.

"I really think the sweet potatoes are delicious.  They are really good," said Nichols.

"It's hard to beat my dad's potatoes but it's good, it's really good actually," said Danielle Benton.

 Even though nothing is like having Thanksgiving dinner with family, the soldiers are truly thankful for the special meal.

 

Reporter:  Stephanie Beecken