One hundred sixty-two Hospital Corps "A" school students from the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-FSH) were treated to a feast Thanksgiving Day in northwest San Antonio.
Basic Medical Technician Corpsmen Program (BMTCP) students joined their Army and Air Force enlisted medical student counterparts for the 12th annual "Thanksgiving with the Troops" at Valero Energy Corporation headquarters.
"I'm glad my friends made me get out today," said Seaman Remy Barrow, a BMTCP student. "I would have stayed in the barracks missing my family all day. Now I have so much to tell my family when I get home."
Barrow's first holiday away began with breakfast. The menu included bagels, pies, donuts, cake, coffee, and juice. Soon after, senior officers from each of the three services spoke briefly, thanking the Valero employees for their volunteer efforts.
Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen then played table games like poker, UNO, and Texas Hold'em. There were other competitions like "3 Truths and a Lie" and "Pictionary," and Barrow won a race against time to stack plates and cans.
Seaman Daniel Carr, another BMTCP student, was one of many participants in the karaoke competition "Military's Got Talent."
"Even though I didn't win, being cheered not only by my shipmates, but also Airmen and Soldiers really shows me how big my family has gotten!" Carr said.
Dinner was plentiful and filling, giving everyone a chance to share in a feast with friends. Two of the more than 300 Valero volunteers who spent several days prepping and setting up the dinner and events were Nathan Garcia and his son, Danny, who is 8. The two enthusiastic volunteers seemed ready to help in any way, serving and speaking to Sailors throughout the day.
"This is our first year volunteering," Garcia said. "I thought Danny would be too shy, but I see him smiling from ear to ear at all these young heroes. They are so grateful and friendly."
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