Hundreds of U.S. Marines celebrate Thanksgiving with Valley families

Hundreds of Marines stationed at Twentynine Palms Marine Air Ground Combat Center got some home cooking Thanksgiving Day.

At the Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells, more than 50 Marines were bused in and split up between 24 families who hosted the Marines for Thanksgiving dinner.

The same scene was repeated at six other country clubs in the Valley that also participated in the American Friends of Our Armed Forces adopt a Marine program.

For U.S. Marines away from family, good food and good conversation with a host family can help prevent homesickness.

“It really makes us feel a little better, instead of being in the barracks, actually being with somebody and enjoying Thanksgiving, and not just being alone,” said Lance Cpl. Jesse Vasquez.

This is the seventh year of the adopt a Marine program. Local families hosted over 300 Marines this year.