Squad cars and firetrucks roamed the District’s empty streets Thursday, while most Washingtonians slept off their turkey-induced stupor — a reminder that D.C. public safety officials don’t have holidays. But some first responders convened briefly in a makeshift “Mayflower” to chow down on turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin soup with their second family, of sorts, in what has become an annual Thanksgiving gathering for a few hundred police and fire workers.
“This is the next best thing to sitting at home with your family,” said Barbara Muller, a canine officer and 17-year veteran of the U.S. Park Police, surrounded by fellow officers and firefighters working on turkey day. “This has become my Thanksgiving tradition. All the people in this room have a natural bond together. It’s really quite nice.”
The festivities took place in a 53-foot trailer in front of the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, where hotel workers dressed as Pilgrims and Indians and served nearly 500 meals. Over the last 11 years, they have distributed more than 5,000 meals to police, firefighters and emergency room workers on Thanksgiving.
“It’s not intentional, but I think we take these people for granted,” said Christian Clerc, regional vice president and general manager of the Four Seasons, dressed in white and black Pilgrim garb. “What better day to show these people what they mean to us?”
The meal was just one example of holiday cheer in the Washington region, as similar events played out all day at homeless shelters, churches and nonprofit organizations.
Even inside the cramped trailer, some said the white linen tables set with silver and china were more refined than their typical Thanksgiving meal.
“Unfortunately, I have to work while my family is away” said park police officer Steve Jones, joined by an atypical partner in the side car of his motorcycle — a hotel worker dressed in a giant turkey suit. “But this is quite a spread. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
However, some expected the rest to be short-lived.
“Those darn fried turkeys,” said Joe Chisholm, a District firefighter for the last 20 years. “We have to stay on high alert today. Thanksgiving and Christmas — there are more fires than you would believe.”
