Marines Spending Thanksgiving In The Desert

Marines spending Thanksgiving away from their families will spend will be visiting Indian Wells to celebrate the holiday at homes of host families.

The annual even is hosted American Friends of our Armed Forces (AFAF).

The group has partnered with seven Coachella Valley country clubs to transport and host 275 Marines from 29 Palms.  Toscana Country Club is joined by Rancho La Quinta, The Reserve, The Lakes, Palm Valley, Indian Palms and Desert Horizons, where each host family will welcome two or more Marines into their homes.

 These Marines are completing a 4-month training at the Marine Corps Communications Electronics School.  AFAF is chartering six Cardiff buses to pick up Marines from the Twentynine Palms Marine Base on Thanksgiving Day. 

The Marines will arrive at  Toscana Country Club in  Indian Wells  at 10:45 Thursday morning, as the Cathedral City High school Band trumpets their arrival.

Then it is off to homes of local residents who host the Marines every year, before an afternoon of pickleball, and a putting contest, before the Marines head back to the 29 Palms Marine Corps Base.

 In addition to this special event in the valley, AFAF also sponsors a Thanksgiving meal for  500 Marines who are unable to leave the Twentynine Palms Marine Base on Thanksgiving.

American flag on grey background.

Photo from Alpha Media Portland OR