380th AEW commander issues Thanksgiving Day message Published Nov. 23, 2011 SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Brig. Gen. Jeff Lofgren, the 380th Expeditionary Air Wing commander, issued the following Thanksgiving Day message to all wing personnel: As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for volunteering to serve your county. Throughout history, in both peacetime and wartime, Americans have paused to give thanks for our rights and freedoms. Despite hardships, uncertainty, economic crises and more, we as Americans, have always recognized this need to be thankful for our freedom. President Abraham Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation in 1863 during the Civil War urging all Americans to give thanks for "fruitful fields and healthful skies." Lincoln acknowledged, just as we should today, that Americans persevered during hardships and continued to thrive and overcome tremendous challenges. "It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People," Lincoln said of the freedoms and blessings bestowed upon our nation. "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe...a day of Thanksgiving." As we celebrate Thanksgiving in a foreign land, away from our friends and families, I invite you to acknowledge your deployed family members--your fellow Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors here--and be there for one another. As we reflect on what we are thankful for, let us remember those friends and family members back home for whom we serve. Reach out to them and connect with them this Thanksgiving Day; thank them for their support of you and let them know you are thinking of them and love them. While it is certainly not ideal to be away from the ones you love, especially during the holidays, you can walk proudly this Thanksgiving Day knowing that the nation you serve thanks you; the people whose freedom you are working so diligently to defend thank you; and your teammates, both here and across all branches of service, thank you for volunteering to serve alongside them. Thank you for your service; thank you for your sacrifice; thank you for your steadfast commitment to our mission. Thank you to your families and friends for supporting you as you serve and sacrifice for the country we love.