Giving of themselves at Thanksgiving

Sailors and local residents spread the cheer on Thanksgiving as volunteers packaged and delivered meals to 110 seniors who rely of the Meals on Wheels program.

On Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Churchill County Senior Citizen Center relies on volunteers and American Legion Post 16 for preparing and delivering meals both in the city and county.

LST2 Tracey Giger, who has traveled to Naval Air Station Fallon on several occasions for training, became stationed at the base in July.

“I like to get out in the community. It’s humbling. I love it, love Fallon,” she said, adding that she is biased for the area.

Giger, who has been in the military since 2003, said she has enjoyed coming to NAS Fallon for years

This marks the third Thanksgiving AOC Albert Williams has assisted the American Legion with its holiday program.

“Anything we can do to help out,” he said. “It’s humbling to help people.”

Williams and his son, who are from Houston, Texas, have volunteered their services on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. ‘Yes, we plan to do this again on Christmas,” he added.

Hospital corpsman Kayla Shortt of Nashville, Tennessee, helped her fellow sailors.

“It’s important for the Navy to have a good relationship with the community because the community supports us,” said Shortt, who came to Fallon in February.

Likewise, A02 Shamiree Hampton arrived in Fallon this year and feels it’s important to help.

“We come together and give back,” he said. “Everybody should be able to eat and help the seniors … it’s a good deed.”

AOC John Pampaloni has developed the holiday spirit. Not only did he assist the American Legion with the meals, but he also belongs to the Elks Lodge, which had a dinner for single sailors and military families on Thursday.

“I have a strong sense to community,” he said.

AO2 Netria Pinkard, a native from Georgia who transferred to Fallon here several months ago, said helping on Thanksgiving was the first time in six years she has helped during the holidays.

“I plan to be here for Christmas, too,” she added.