In a ceremony on November 20th, leaders from the Delaware Air Guard gathered to thank Brian Burns and his daughter, Kaelyn, for their efforts in donating turkeys to the families of our deployed service members. (left to right) Lt. Col. Dave Rich of the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Maj. Dennis Hunsicker, Commander of the 166th Security Forces Squadron, Kaelyn Burns, Brian Burns and Col. Ron Mehan, Commander of the 166th Airlift Wing. (Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Dougherty)

Brian Burns is sharing the holiday spirit this year in a way that makes meals a better experience for the families left behind while Delaware Guardsmen and women are deployed.

Burns, an account executive with Wilmington National Finance, in Newark, personally made sure each deployed service member’s family had a turkey for its Thanksgiving Day meal. "I was watching the news on television and saw members of the Delaware Air Guard deploying for Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom. These are people who are watching out for the welfare of our families and we’d like to do the same thing for theirs."

"Last year, we donated turkeys to a battered women’s shelter, a homeless shelter, a facility for impaired children, the Ronald McDonald House and Mother Mary of Hope Houses, but this year focused on the Delaware Guard," said Burns. "While we help the Guard this year, I hope someone else is able to assist these other organizations in our absence."

"I started publicizing this year’s effort (Turkey Drive II) after September 11^th with emails to our entire company. I approached the Acme Supermarket at University Plaza in Ogletown and was given a great deal on turkeys," he added.

Burns contact the Air Base on the New Castle County Airport and was put in touch with Carol Mezzatesta, who heads up our Family Readiness and Support Services. She coordinated between Burns and the units who had airmen and women deployed.

In a ceremony right before Thanksgiving, 166^th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Ron Mehan, Lt. Col. Dave Rich of the 142^nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and Maj. Dennis Hunsicker, Commander of our 166^th Security Forces Squadron all personally thanked Burns for his actions.

Thanks to the efforts of Brian Burns, a U.S. Army veteran who served as a communications specialist here in the states and also in Europe, the families of every deployed Delaware Air Guardsman and woman received a certificate for a free turkey that can be redeemed any time over the holidays.