As U.S. troops at Bagram airbase in Afghanistan celebrate Thanksgiving, one serviceman gets into the spirit of the occasion by wearing a turkey-carcass hat.
With their tours of duty set to continue, many soldiers at the base will not see their families for some time.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FEMALE U.S. SOLDIER HEATHER SURGEON SAYING:
"I would like to tell my family that I miss them very much and I am thinking of them every day, and I wish I could spend this holiday with them but I know that they are having a good Thanksgiving, and I love them all and wish them the best for the holiday season."
For troops serving in Iraq, this year's celebration is particularly special since they are just weeks away from an anticipated U.S. pullout from the country.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SOLDIER STACY WALLACE SAYING:
"I've been here about, I would say two and half, almost three months, I should be going home soon and I am kinda excited about it, I didn't expect to spend the holidays with my family, so I will have the opportunity. Everything is ending. It has been an awesome ride, a great experience of my career, and I look forward to the things that we will do in the future."
Many soldiers are looking forward to going home.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SOLDIER BRYAN C. YOUMY SAYING:
"This is awesome to be here for Thanksgiving with all the troops. We just finished serving pretty much half the whole base out there for a Thanksgiving meal, and it has a been great mission, it has been a great tour but it is time to go home."
Thanksgiving is a harvest festival celebrated in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday in November.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.