By Ian Graham
DMA Social Media Operations
Last Friday, immediately following all of the glut and glory of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, I attended a special dinner show at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage.
Service members and their families enjoy a free Thanksgiving feast for military provided by Arena Stage in Washingtion Nov. 25. Arena stage provided dinner and a show for 260 people who couldn't travel over the holiday weekend. Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Wetzel
Some 260 service members and military families were invited to attend exclusive showings at two of the Arena Stage’s theaters and a catered holiday dinner.
Friday’s event had all the familiar characteristics of a typical Washington event: military leaders in their dress blues, local politicians, posed group photos and passed hors d’oeuvres. However, it only took a few minutes of chatting with guests to figure out this wasn’t a place to be seen; it was a place to be together.
D.C. Delegate to Congress Eleanor Holmes Norton said people don’t understand how important it is to be with loved ones during the holidays until they have to spend time away. Nobody knows that feeling more than service members and their families, she said.
“Military families don’t have that luxury. They don’t get to take a few days off to go back home,” she said.
During dinner, I spoke with Maryland Army National Guard Sgt. Aaron Bishop and Capt. Edward Liu, who were among dozens of service members whose units recently returned from Iraq. While some of the conversation revolved around the combined stress and relief of coming back stateside, most of the evening’s discussion concerned what civilians might think commonplace – politics, sports and getting to know new acquaintances at dinner.
Air Force Col. John Sutherland, who has lived in the D.C. area off and on for the past few years as his orders changed, said the event is a welcome change from the normal ticket offerings for troops. He and his wife come into the District on occasion to see plays, but sometimes the combined package of travel, parking, dinner and tickets can be cost prohibitive. The Sutherlands were happy to see Arena Stage, which they hadn’t yet had a chance to visit, offering their shows to service members.
Bishop agreed. He’s gotten to take friends Baltimore Ravens games and see concerts courtesy of local MWR offices, the USO and similar organizations; but never dinner and a play. He said he enjoyed the change of pace and the chance to meet new people.
“Hopefully they’ll do this again,” Bishop said.
They intend to do just that. Molly Smith, Arena Stage’s artistic director, said the event was originally going to be a small thing for perhaps a few dozen service members. Once it started moving, though, it also began to grow. More and more sponsors signed on until it became what it was – catered dinner, complimentary cocktails, and two shows put on, all free to the attendees.
“People just kind of reached out,” she said. “They wanted to help, because they wanted to support [service members].”
Smith gave remarks between courses at the dinner, explaining her motivation to put on the event. It’s not meant to be a tribute, or a fundraiser, or an advocacy event, she explained; it’s a way to say “thank you.”
“If anybody understands the power of homecoming, it’s you. Each of you has likely spent time away from your family,” she said. “You’ve missed family holidays in your service to our country – and for that, Arena Stage thanks you.”
Among those who were fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving home with family was Army Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington, Commanding General the Military District of Washington and commander of Joint Force Headquarters – National Capital Region. He spent the past two Thanksgivings and past two Christmases deployed to Afghanistan.
“Thanksgiving is a special time for me this year, because I’m home,” he said. In his prepared remarks, he encouraged attendees to remember that other military families will be missing their husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters this year.
“If you get to spend this holiday season at home, be thankful,” he said.
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