CBS News

By Cheryl Elias

CHERRY HILL, Nj. (CBS) — A warm welcome and a Thanksgiving feast await military men and women who can’t be with their families this holiday.

As an annual tradition in South Jersey, this is the ninth year the Eric Spevak Family of Cherry Hill and the Jewish War Veterans Post 126 in Cherry Hill have hosted the surprise Thanksgiving for the men and women training at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst.

Michelle Spevak, who has volunteered with her parents and brother since they were young teens, says the gathering point late Thanksgiving morning is on Route 70, near the entrance to America’s Best Value Inn.

“We welcome people to come out with flags with signs,” she says, “or just bring your family and welcome the troops as they get off the bus around 11 a.m.”

(credit: Cheryl Elias)

For Michelle and her family, feeding the troops is its own reward.

“It’s one of my favorite days of the year,” Spevak says, “just to give back and especially to give back on Thanksgiving.”

This will be the second year the Troop Thanksgiving is dedicated to Cherry Hill native Jeremy Kane who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/11/21/thanksgiving-feast-awaits-troops-in-cherry-hill/