PACE - For many, Thanksgiving means football, turkey and family.

But for people serving in the military it's a day spent away from all the comforts of home.

One Pace family did their part to make the day a little brighter by serving a couple dozen service men and women.

It's enough food to feed an army... or perhaps a Navy.

The Gray family is hosting about 2 dozen sailors and marines, most are fresh out of boot camp, away from home for the first time and missing some creature comforts.

"Family fried turkey and football," said sailor Josh Bruno.

"Turkey and dressing," said Amber Tarrand.

Amber Tarrand joined the Navy about 11 months ago and while she'll soon see the world, Pensacola is the furthest she's ever been from her home in South Carolina.

"I've never been outside the southeast," said Tarrand. "First time I've spent any holiday away from family."

Josh Bruno just out of boot camp in August.

"It's good having this, doing this for people who don't have their families here. I get to feel welcomed, don't just sit at the barracks all day, be depressed," said Bruno.

The Grays and their friends who helped with the meal say it's the least they could do.

"My family wants to invite these young sailors, because it's usually the first time they're away from home for the holiday, so we invite them to our home and give them a home cooked meal get them out of uniform for a day cause they've been kind of living and breathing the military for the last few months and treat them to a real Thanksgiving," said Jacquie Gray.

A real Thanksgiving and a real sense of comfort.

"I thought it was great that civilians could actionally take time out of their lives to serve us for once. It's a blessing," said Amber Tarrand.

This is the tenth year in a row the Gray family has had sailors and marines over to their home for Thanksgiving.Feeding Sailors