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Americans connect in Kyrgyzstan for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  The holiday season can be hard for deployed military members due to the fact they're away from family; but for seven members deployed here, the season was a little brighter.

Peggy and Travius Braun opened their home in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to the Transit Center residents for a special holiday meal Dec. 24.

"I felt like I was at home," said Staff Sgt. Edelyn Avellanosa, 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron deployment equipment NCO in charge. "Even though they weren't my family, they made me feel like I was in their family."

Avellanosa's home station is Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

Airman 1st Class Saiquan Canty, also assigned to the 376th ELRS and deployed from Cannon, agreed with Avellanosa adding, "Dinner was my favorite part. I learned a lot from the people who opened up their home to us."

The Brauns spent more than eight hours preparing the feast for their guests, making everything from scratch.

"I couldn't have done this without Travius, he's my rock," Peggy said. "He helped me set everything up; he is always willing to help."

Peggy works at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek and her husband has traveled with her to many locations.

Although Avellanosa and Canty have had the opportunity to leave the Transit Center and experience Kyrgyz culture before, this was the first time either of them have been able to experience the hospitality from a family residing in the country.

"I was amazed at the kindness of this family," Canty said. "They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable."