RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Local senior citizens enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch at the Mildenhall Social Club Nov. 18, 2019.
The commanders of the 100th Air Refueling Wing and 352nd Special Operations Wing, along with other Team Mildenhall leadership, members of Airmen Committed to Excellence, and the British-American Committee, organized and served the lunch, assisted by staff from the social club.
"We're kind of a service-based organization, and doing this allows us to give back to the community. We don’t know all their unique stories, but I bet you they’ve got some incredible ones and we owe it to them," said Col. Troy Pananon, 100th ARW commander. "It is an honor for us to be here and I really do enjoy doing these type of events."
"This is the time of year in the United States where we take a moment just to say thanks; that’s what Thanksgiving is - our opportunity to say 'thank you' and also give back to others," he added.
The event is now in its second year and gives senior citizens in the local area an opportunity to have lunch, play games and meet new people.
"I was invited by someone at the Mildenhall Women's Institute, who is also on the British-American Committee. I accepted gratefully as I've only been in Mildenhall for a year, but I do know one or two people here," said Freda Clarke, a local senior citizen. "The food was absolutely wonderful and the turkey was my favorite part - it was delicious! I also had some pecan pie, which I've never had before. It's wonderful that the Americans are doing this for the local community."