FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- The battle against insurgents continues in Iraq, but soldiers were able to take a few moments to enjoy Thanksgiving Thursday, and that includes members of the 4th Stryker Brigade from Fort Lewis.

For the Iraqis, this is just another day and members of the U.S. forces still have to go out on patrol. But on this day when they come back to camp, Thanksgiving dinner is waiting.

The brigade support battalion is doing everything it can to bring the holiday feeling to the members of the 4th Stryker Brigade at Camp Liberty near Baghdad.

It's no small task to prepare turkey dinner with all the fixings to the 4,000 members of brigade, but it's a welcome break on this day of thanks.

Back here at home, it's cool and rainy, but in Baghdad, it was quite warm and sunny. And the troops over there wanted to send home their warm, holiday wishes.

"I want to give a shout out to my family and my two daughters… I love you guys and I'll be home soon," said Spc. Amanda Nagel of Gig Harbor.

She and the rest of the 4th brigade have been in Iraq since September. Another message home came from Sgt. Michael Wagner, who is from Bremerton.

"I just want to give a shout out to my wife and tell her I love her and Happy Thanksgiving, and to my kids, I love hem and miss them too," Wagner said.

The holiday often makes the soldiers long for home, and they find comfort in this feast.

"This is my second time celebrating Thanksgiving here," said Spc. Julie Charles. "It's not that big of a difference from my last rotation but I just miss my family."

"The camaraderie," added Capt. Charles McConnell. "It's good to sit down with my soldiers after working all week putting in long hours, and good to break bread and share the camaraderie, share some old jokes and share some history of their Thanksgiving meals."

The members of the brigade are from all over the country, and they're all eager to say Happy Thanksgiving.

"To my wife Tatiana, my son Jodie and my daughter Kiana, I miss y'all; I love y'all," said Cpl. Jodie Whitmire.

For many of the soldiers, once the meal is done, it's back out on patrol on Thanksgiving Day in Iraq.