Sharing good food and fellowship

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  They came for fellowship and good food, and they got plenty of both. 

More than 150 members of the Catholic and Protestant communities at Malmstrom gathered in the chapel annex Sunday for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. 

Chaplain (Maj.) Keith Muschinske, acting 341st Space Wing chaplain, welcomed everyone to the event and introduced special guest 341st Space Wing Vice Commander Col. Paul Gydesen. 

"We are here today to give thanks," Colonel Gydesen said, "and for me, that includes some of the most basic things. We can be thankful we always have electricity, running water, safe food and a healthy environment to live, work and recreate in." He also reminded everyone that those simple things are part of our freedoms and protecting those freedoms is the reason we do what we do. 

"I ask you to remember those serving to protect our freedoms who can't be with us here today and I personally thank all of Team Malmstrom for working so hard day in and day out to ensure our freedoms remain." 

Father Michael Guinan, a retired Catholic priest who serves as an auxiliary chaplain at Malmstrom, then gave the blessing which ended in a traditional prayer of "Bless us O Lord, and these, thy gifts . . ." at which point all the participants joined him in prayer completing the blessing and officially opening the buffet line. 

Hungry Little Warriors scurried up to fill their plates while moms and dads tried to keep things under control. 

"We prepared 50 pounds of turkey, 40 pounds of ham and the gravy," said Jenine Seitz, the Catholic Coordinator at the chapel. "I have no idea how much gravy, but there is a lot." 

Members of the Catholic and Protestant communities brought everything else which included several pounds of mashed potatoes, a variety of cold salads, vegetables, rolls, deviled eggs and other favorite holiday dishes to share. 

The dessert table was equally well-stocked with homemade pies, cakes and cookies.
The coffee carafes were kept full, hot chocolate was available as well as cold lemonade and orange drink. 

"We do this for the community," said Airman 1st Class Laura Falk, a chaplain's assistant. "That's what it is all about."