Airmen celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK

ELY, United Kingdom – Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Glaros, a Catholic chaplain with the 48th Fighter Wing Chapel, bows his head in prayer during a Thanksgiving service at the Ely Cathedral on Nov. 24. The 24th Annual Thanksgiving Service was attended by approximately 600 Americans from Royal Air Forces Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell as well as their British neighbors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

Airmen celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK

ELY, United Kingdom – Americans from Royal Air Forces Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell, as well as their British neighbors, attended a Thanksgiving service at the Ely Cathedral on Nov. 24. The Ely Cathedral is known locally as "the ship of the Fens", because of its prominent shape that towers above the surrounding flat and watery landscape. The building of the present cathedral was started in 1082. It has a total length of 537 feet, and its nave is more than 250 feet making it the longest in Britain. The cathedral’s west tower is 215 feet high. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

Airmen celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK

ELY, United Kingdom – Chaplain (Maj.) Lance Hoggatt, 48th Fighter Wing Chapel senior Protestant chaplain, says the opening prayer at the Thanksgiving service at the Ely Cathedral on Nov. 24. The 24th Annual Thanksgiving Service was attended by approximately 600 Americans from Royal Air Forces Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell, as well as their British neighbors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

Airmen celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK

Published Nov. 30, 2010
By Senior Airman Stephen Linch
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ELY, United Kingdom -- For many Americans in the U.S. celebrating Thanksgiving consists of a Thanksgiving service at their place of worship on the Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

It was no different for Americans in the UK, as Airmen from Royal Air Forces Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Feltwell and others joined their British neighbors Nov. 24 at Ely Cathedral to celebrate Thanksgiving and have a night of fellowship.

In 1986, the English, knowing the importance of this American holiday, wanted to give the Americans living here a special place to thank God for His blessings. Thus the annual Thanksgiving service at the Ely Cathedral, a cathedral said by some to be one of the seven wonders of the medieval world, started.

The 24th Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Ely Cathedral started with the Very Reverend Dr. Michael Chandler, Ely Cathedral Dean, welcoming those in attendance, and noting it might be the first time for some in attendance to see the cathedral from the inside instead of from above through their aircraft's window.

The service continued with the RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall combined choirs singing songs, chaplains from both bases reading scripture and leading prayers and the guest speaker, Maj. Gen. Mark R. Zamzow, 3rd Air Force vice commander, giving the service's Thanksgiving message.

"It is not every Thanksgiving you get the opportunity to have service in a cathedral that is so historic, so beautiful," said Chaplain (Capt.) Frank Watts, a Protestant chaplain with the 48th Fighter Wing Chapel.

After the service, Americans and British alike helped themselves to pie and beverages at the service's reception. Airman 1st Class Leo Pursifull, 48th Communications Squadron network infrastructure apprentice, said he enjoyed the service and the reception - especially the pie, disclosing he had eaten four pieces of it.

"It was really awesome of them to open up their cathedral to us," Airman Pursifull said. "It was a great service and an amazing experience."