For Many U.S. Military Families, Coronavirus Means Thanksgiving-In-Place

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving this year, which millions of travelers have ignored.

Many members of the U.S. armed forces didn’t have a choice.

Restrictions and regulations implemented by the Defense Dept. to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have put a stop to holiday travel in many military installations.

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Marine Capt. Cristian Alphonso, center, pictured with his parents, Bonny, left, and Karen, right, in 2014. Alphonso was unable to visit his parents before an upcoming deployment because of Defense Dept. travel restrictions.

Courtesy Alphonso family

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Courtesy Alphonso family

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Alana and Mark Benischek. The military couple decided to stay home for Thanksgiving instead of traveling cross-country to celebrate with family. «When you are part of a team, like the U.S. military…you are concerned about something bigger than yourself,» Alana said.

Courtesy Benischek family

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Courtesy Benischek family

Alana and Mark Benischek. The military couple decided to stay home for Thanksgiving instead of traveling cross-country to celebrate with family. «When you are part of a team, like the U.S. military…you are concerned about something bigger than yourself,» Alana said.

Courtesy Benischek family

This year they planned to travel to New Hampshire with their two daughters for Thanksgiving. And had they made the trip, they would have joined Alana’s parents, her two sisters and their husbands and seven nieces and nephews — all under one roof. Instead, they made the decision to stay home.

«Honestly, the biggest part of it was just getting to see as many family members as possible. And it definitely always included a huge meal on Thanksgiving Day,» Alana said. «It’s just really special when all of the cousins get together. That’s my favorite part, seeing the kids interact and seeing my sisters and giving hugs.»

The Benischeks’ base doesn’t have sweeping travel restrictions in place for the moment. However, their chain of command is encouraging everyone to follow health and safety guidelines from state and federal agencies.

So instead of cooking a feast in New Hampshire, they are ordering takeout in Washington state. They will see family another time, when it is safe to do so.

«When you are part of a team like the U.S. military…you are concerned about something bigger than yourself,» Alana said. «In order for us to be able to accomplish the mission, everybody needs to stay safe and stay healthy. You’ve got to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. So, that’s what we’re doing. We’re going to stay home to stay healthy and keep executing the mission.»