Capitan, New Mexico Mayor Ron Lowrance spent Thanksgiving 6,000 miles from home, cooking a feast in Guam for more than two dozen Navy sailors, including his son Tanner.
“(During) my military service I never got to come home for Christmas or Thanksgiving either because we were always doing something,” Lowrance told KRQE.
This was the second straight year Lowrance volunteered his services to feed his son and friends. Last year, he cooked for more than 20 sailors and was asked to return to start a tradition.
“It wasn’t a tradition, but now I think it’s starting to become one,” Tanner Lowrance said.
Tanner said he is glad his father could make the journey.
“Knowing that he is willing to make that trip out here and showing that he cares about not just me and all the guys out here that are staying home and not having their family’s come out, it kind of brings everyone together a little bit more,” Tanner said.
Lowrance ran out of turkey last year but wasn’t going to run out of food this year. His feast included two turkeys, a giant ham, mashed potatoes and sweet potato pie, his son’s favorite dish.
“Oh my god man that stuff is amazing,” Tanner said.
Traditional Thanksgiving food isn’t the only thing on the menu. Lowrance said he’s been cooking New Mexican meals, including frito pie, enchiladas, breakfast burritos and green chile.