Readout of Secretary Hagel’s Calls to Service Members on Thanksgiving
November 28, 2013

Assistant Press Secretary Carl Woog provided the following readout:

This morning, Secretary Hagel called service members taking part in U.S. operations around the world to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

Secretary Hagel expressed his appreciation for their service in defending the United States and supporting our allies and partners. In each of the calls, Secretary Hagel noted that he knows how difficult it is to be away from home on this holiday and thanked the service members and their families for their sacrifice for the nation.

Secretary Hagel spoke with representatives from each military service including the following service members:

• Sergeant Stephanie A. Buitron, U.S. Army, 45, of Atmore, Alabama. Sergeant Buitron is responsible for answering, tracking, and responding to radio calls in support of a task force in Kabul, Afghanistan. She previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and re-enlisted in the Alabama National Guard in 2010.
• Petty Officer Second Class Christopher Mefford, U.S. Navy, 36, of San Diego, California. Petty Officer Mefford is currently aboard the U.S.S. George Washington and was part of a helicopter flight team that distributed medical, food, and water supplies to devastated Filipino villages following the typhoon.
• Staff Sergeant Jerry T. Nong, U.S. Air Force, 28, of Omaha, Nebraska. Staff Sergeant Nong is responsible for sustaining communication capabilities that support air-tasking orders for military aircraft at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
• Sergeant Michael Milory, U.S. Marine Corps, 22, of Peru, Indiana. Sergeant Milory is serving with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit forward.