Commander's Thanksgiving Day Message Published Nov. 25, 2014 By Colonel Trent Edwards 37th Training Wing Commander JBSA-Lackland -- On behalf of the 37th Training Wing leadership, Chief Orrie and I wish you all a very safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. We have much for which to be thankful. I'd like to start by thanking you, the men and women who serve our great nation. We are thankful for your service, excellence and commitment. Because of you our nation is a safer place to live, work, and play. Our Airman, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guard stand at the ready around the globe. You provide the blanket of freedom, safety and security that allows our citizens to sleep peacefully in their beds at night. You provide peace and stability in distant lands and bring hope and optimism to far reaches of the world. You conduct humanitarian and peacekeeping operations to citizens of the world affected by natural disasters or tyrannies rule. The people you have helped are thankful for your service and sacrifice, and so too are Chief Orrie and I. Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season. Our military and civilians, and their families take this time to relax, and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy. Many of you will travel around the world to be with family or friends. Please be safe. Whether you are traveling by air, rail, ground or sea, please take the time to apply proper risk management throughout your travels. We know you are anxious to be with family and friends, but slow down and "arrive alive". We also ask that you look out for your wingman, battle buddy, shipmate and fellow office mate. Each of you are valued members of our team. While the holiday season is a time of joy and happiness for most people, that may not be the case for everyone. Please keep your antenna's up for signs of holiday stress and depression in our trainee, student and permanent party teammates. Suicide occurs in all social groups. It occurs among young, middle-aged, and older people; men and women; rich, middle class, and poor; all ethnic and religious groups; married and single people; the employed and unemployed, the healthy and the sick and among the military and civilian. Please take the time to check-in and connect with each other. We are extremely proud of everything you do for our 37the Training Wing team, our families and our nation. Again, from our family to yours, enjoy a very well deserved Thanksgiving holiday.