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Vt. Guard Troops Give Thanks from Training Base

Camp Atterbury, Indiana - November 27, 2009

Some Vermont National Guard members who could not be home for Thanksgiving managed to enjoy a taste of the holiday.

Vermonters are among nearly 800 soldiers preparing for deployment to Afghanistan at Camp Atterbury in Indiana. The soldiers enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Thursday, and while they enjoyed the meal, they said their thoughts were on their loved ones back home.

"Well, I've deployed twice before, so I'm used to it now. The first time it's a little hard, it's hard, it's hard every time, but you get used to it. You call home, you get pictures, I've got pictures to look at and stuff," said Vt. National Guard soldier James Webb II.

"I'm just grateful for what I have today, right now. Everyone that I'm with is absolutely amazing. I couldn't ask for a better group of people, that's for sure," said Staff Sgt. Itzia Hemmingway. "And the food is great."

The Joint Maneuver Training Center, as it's called, says it tries to stick to traditions to boost morale during the holidays.

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