Naval Chief Deployed Overseas To Spend Thanksgiving With Sister For First Time In 4 Years

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Members of the military expressed their gratitude to be back home with loved ones in time for Thanksgiving.

On Wednesday night at Los Angeles International Airport, Wesley Harris of Oxnard waited anxiously for his sister.

The Naval Chief stationed at Port Hueneme says this will be their first Thanksgiving together in four years after he was deployed overseas.

"It means a great deal being able to celebrate with friends, family, never knowing when the next time I'm able to see them," he said.

After patiently waiting for her flight from San Francisco to arrive, his cellphone rang:

"OK, well we're standing at the terminal waiting on you so I'll see when you get here."

Moments later, he had a heartfelt reunion with his sister, Tenisha Singleton.

Singleton says she bought the plane ticket Wednesday morning after waiting to make certain Harris would be home.

"I didn't necessarily know if we would connect and the fact is that we were able to connect and it really means something," she said. "I'm very happy."

At Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX, servicemen and women from across the country gathered before connecting with loved ones.

But some like Cpl. Marc Taveras, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton, will not be seeing family this Thanksgiving.

"I know it's cliché and everybody says it but take a second to say thank you to everyone around you," he said.

That's something Harris and his sister certainly plan on doing. After enjoying Thanksgiving together, they plan to drive to Las Vegas for a few days.

Meanwhile, the USO says Wednesday is one of their busiest nights of the year.