"It shows that our country is a grateful nation. They recognize the importance of our military and the sacrifices made." CMSgt. Steve Wachter, Superintendent of the Air Force Chaplain Corps College at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
USO of North Carolina and Lowe's partnered efforts to produce the hugely successful Military Thanksgiving Dinner at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The dinner attracted close to 500 military personnel and family members - nearly double the crowd from the previous year.
Wachter and his wife, Kellie, attended the event. He adds, "The volunteers, like those with Lowes, they're sacrificing their time with their families for us." He has served in the Air Force for over 27 years and deployed twice.
The youngest of the guests, many garbed in holiday attire, had their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus next to a twinkling Christmas tree.
"I cannot think of a better way for a community to say 'thank you.'" Air Force Chaplain Daniel Karanja of the Chaplain Corps College at Fort Jackson, SC.
He was joined by his wife, Joyce, and three children. "What a joy to know these people will not be home alone, but out and about," he adds. Karanja has served 16 years in the Air Force with a deployment to Kosovo.
Wall-to-wall tables filled the Speedway Club with beautifully decorated buffets of food featuring a traditional Thanksgiving meal and an array of desserts.
This year's event featured a guest appearance by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter John Parr. A native Englishman, Parr first struck on fame in the U.S. with his popular 80's song entitled St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion).
Claiming America his second home, Parr released his new double album Letter To America on July 4th, 2011. Next week, Parr will kick off a USO Military Tour throughout North Carolina, beginning at Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune.
Parr's manager Barbara Terry says the singer/songwriter will release a military album in the spring with 10% of the proceeds benefitting the USO. One of the songs Parr performed for the evening was Bound By The Thread Of The Flag. The 82nd Airborne Division's All-American Chorus has asked permission to record this song. It will appear on Parr's spring-release military album.
The evening concluded with many wide-eyed kids awaiting a visit to the Charlotte Motor Speedway's Carolina Christmas. It features over 4.5 miles of themed light displays, a Bethlehem Village, Drive on the Track, Santa and Trees and much more!
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