Marine Corps holiday lunch

Fifty active duty Marines and sailors received a special holiday meal this Saturday.

They enjoyed music, food and gifts all throughout the morning.

Leonard Abramowitz is fan favorite amongst active duty members and veterans. 

Even as a veteran himself, he is giving back and serving Marines from Twentynine Palms.

On Saturday, he helped put on a holiday luncheon at Veterans of Foreign Wars Joseph L. Stone Post 1534.

“This is my second year doing this up here," said Abramowitz. "I’m gonna continue doing it until I can’t stand it anymore. And then he’ll just pick me up and i’ll do it again.” 

Joining Abramowitz were many other vets. They find importance in honoring active duty members. 

“The services guys, they’re what's protecting our country right now," said Edward G. Johnson. "I honor them now. And this is awesome.”

Mary Ryser is a daughter of a veteran. She made sure this holiday season was one activte duty members could remember. 

“People don’t have their families or they’re away from their families," said Ryser. "They come from all over United States and its about them being here and having fun.”

Veterans say they want to take advantage of the holiday season in the homeland. They recall christmas abroad. 

“I remember having Christmas in the Philippines. And we had a little plastic tree," said Vice Commander at the American Legion, Luis Bernal. "We didn’t have any ornaments, any lights, but we put chewing tobacco, and cigarette packs as our ornaments and we’d make presents to each other from all our gear.”

“My first ship we were in, we were in Vietnam, our Christmas was nothing. I mean we saw a sunrise and sunset, that was it," Abramowitz.

It was a heartwarming way to thank service members this holiday season.

“We just kinda make it like it's home even though we’re not home," said Breanna Brown. "It's a special time for us."