This Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025, the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin offers heartfelt gratitude to all U.S. military service members serving around the world today. As families across America gather at their tables, countless Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians and Coast Guardsmen stand duty far from home. They serve in distant deserts, aboard ships crossing international waters, inside aircraft thousands of feet above the earth, at remote outposts, and in regions marked by instability. Their dedication allows others to sit at peaceful tables this morning.
Connecticut also honors the families who celebrate today with one seat empty, the veterans who once spent their own Thanksgivings overseas, and the Gold Star families who hold tightly to memories of holidays shared with loved ones who never returned.
Where America’s Service Members Are Serving This Thanksgiving
On this Thanksgiving Day, American forces remain active across the globe:
- In the Middle East, where U.S. personnel continue security partnerships, protective missions and vital regional operations.
- Across Europe, where troops support deterrence, air patrols, training rotations and multinational readiness missions.
- Throughout the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, Guam, South Korea and rotational posts across the region, where forces maintain stability in one of the most strategically important theaters.
- In Africa, where units carry out advisory missions, intelligence support and security assistance.
- In Central and South America, where service members support counterdrug operations and humanitarian partnerships.
- At sea, where sailors and coast guardsmen operate on carriers, destroyers, cutters, submarines and support vessels.
- And at undisclosed locations, where specialized units serve quietly and without recognition, though their absence is deeply felt at home.
More than 800 Connecticut National Guard members are currently serving worldwide, joining America’s active-duty and reserve forces who will not spend Thanksgiving with their families today. Across the state, loved ones wake up this morning thinking of them, checking phones, preparing care packages and hoping for brief calls or messages from overseas.
Thanksgiving Traditions in Uniform — A Living History
World War II
American troops celebrated Thanksgiving from Europe to the Pacific, improvising meals when supplies ran thin. In India, for example, airmen stationed in Assam spent Thanksgiving Day playing baseball, carving makeshift feasts and doing everything they could to bring a sense of home to a distant front.
Korea and Vietnam
Service members gather in field tents, eating meals prepared by cooks who work through the night so the holiday feels familiar even in harsh environments. Units pause long enough to sit together, sharing gratitude and brief moments of normalcy.
The Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan
Thanksgiving becomes a lifeline. USO entertainers visit forward bases. Leaders serve troops in long dining lines. Care packages arrive with letters, photos and drawings from schoolchildren who simply want to say “thank you.”
Today
This morning, in bases across the world, military cooks are preparing turkeys, pies and holiday staples shipped through massive logistical operations planned months in advance. On ships, culinary specialists work in tight galleys to serve entire crews. In remote outposts, troops gather in groups as small as two or three, sharing whatever they have and calling home when connectivity allows.
Wherever they are, service members continue a tradition dating back generations—giving thanks for one another, for their families, and for the hope of safe return.
Connecticut’s Message of Gratitude
To All Deployed Service Members
Thank you for standing watch today while others sit with their families. Your presence overseas protects the peace we enjoy at home. Connecticut sees you, honors you and gives thanks for you.
To Military Families
You carry the weight of today in ways few understand—setting the table with one chair empty, explaining to children why a parent can’t be home, balancing strength with longing. Your sacrifice is honored across our state.
To Veterans
Your own service set the foundation for every Thanksgiving enjoyed in freedom. Many of you spent holidays in combat zones, aboard ships, or far from home. Connecticut remains grateful for every year you served.
To Gold Star Families
This day carries a unique heaviness. As families revisit the memories of Thanksgivings once spent with loved ones now gone, Connecticut honors their service, their sacrifice and the legacy they left behind. Their place in our nation’s story does not fade.
How Connecticut Supports the Troops Today
Communities across the state continue sending care packages, cards and holiday messages to deployed units. Volunteer groups, veterans organizations and military families work every day to ensure no service member or family feels forgotten. For many deployed troops, the messages arriving from Connecticut today provide a vital connection to home.
A Thanksgiving Message from the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard
Closing Message
On this Thanksgiving Day, as Connecticut homes fill with warmth and family voices, thousands of American service members stand duty around the world. Their absence is felt at every table with an empty seat—and their commitment makes this day possible.
To all who serve, to all who once served, to all who wait at home, and to the families who remember loved ones lost:
Thank you. Connecticut honors you today and always.
Thanksgiving Dinners For Veterans and families.
Thursday 27 November 2025 11:00AM Turkey Sandwich With Cranberry, Stuffing & Gravy at AL Post 72
Turkey Sandwich
With Cranberry,
Stuffing & Gravy
at AL Post 72
Thanksgiving
Week
November 23
Through
November 29 and
Thanksgiving Day
November 27
Special!
ONLY $6
Hosted By:
American Legion Kiltonic Post
72 (860) 621-4243
Location: 64 Main St,
Southington, CT 06489
Thursday 27 November 2025 11:30AM Arrival The Calvanese Family Veterans Thanksgiving Dinner
The Calvanese Family
Veterans Thanksgiving
Dinner
Thursday
November 27, 2025
11:30 am Arrival
12:00 PM Dinner
The Calvanese Family
cordially invites
Veterans and 3 family
members to join us for
Thanksgiving dinner.
Dinner is
Complimentary!
RSVP
BY NOVEMBER 20
TO KATHY 475-689-0219
Hosted by:
The Calvanese Family
Location: Aqua Turf Club
556 Mulberry St,
Plantsville, CT 06479
Thursday 27 November 2025 12:00PM – 2:00PM Plainfield VFW Post 5446 & auxiliary FREE Thanksgiving Meal
William L. Mercier Plainfield
VFW Post 5446 & auxiliary
FREE Thanksgiving Meal
NOVEMBER 27, 2025
Deliveries will start at 11:30 AM Dine
in 12PM – 2PM in the upstairs hall
DINE IN OR CALL FOR DELIVERY
RSVP BY NOVEMBER 23, 2025
Veterans, Seniors, and members of
our community. Please join us for
our annual free Thanksgiving Meal.
TO RSVP PLEASE CALL
860-564-5446 Tuesday & Thursday
5PM – 8PM Friday, Saturday, &
Sunday 1PM – 6PM Or stop by the
post and RSVP with any bartender
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO
EVERYONE FROM ALL OF US AT
THE PLAINFIELD VFW POST 5446
THANK YOU TO THE KITCHEN
CREW AND VOLUNTEERS WHO
PUT A LOT OF TIME AND WORK
INTO MAKING THIS MEAL
POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO
DONATE TOWARDS THIS MEAL.
THANK YOU TO AMERICAN
RIDES FOR GETTING ALL THE
DELIVERY MEALS OUT.
Hosted By:
William L. Mercier
Plainfield VFW Post 5446
& auxiliary (860) 564-5446
Location: 7 Winsor Ave,
Plainfield, CT 06374
Thursday 27 November 2025 1:00PM Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner
Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday, November 27, 2025
Eat In Only – Family Style Seating at 1:00 PM. Includes Roasted Turkey, Stuffing, Potatoes, Yams, Vegetables, Pies
etc.Invite for Members and their guests who may not have family or friends to share Thanksgiving with. Not open to
the public. R.S.V.P. At the Post with payment no later than 6:00 PM on Nov.. 21st Cost $ 10 per person.
Hosted By: St. Michael’s Post 1562 Auxiliary (203) 734-9748
Location: 112 Derby Ave, Derby, CT 06418
Thursday 27 November 2025 1:00PM – 4:00PM VFW & Auxiliary Post 1523 Thanksgiving Dinner
VFW & Auxiliary Post
1523 Thanksgiving
Dinner
NOVEMBER 27TH
1-4 PM
FREE MEAL FOR
ANYONE IN THE
COMMUNITY
FOR
RESERVATIONS
CALL US AT
860-928-9897 or
EMAIL:
VFWPOST1523@GMAIL.COM
BY 11/24/2025
Dessert provided by:
Soleil Baker LLC
Hosted By:
Albert J Breault VFW &
Auxiliary Post 1523
(860) 928-9897
Location: 207 Providence
St, Putnam, CT 06260
