Camp Commando, Kuwait ? It was approaching noon in the deserts of Kuwait. The sand was not blowing much and it was just about time for Thanksgiving dinner.

“They’ve got actual turkey here,” said Lt. Col. Kirk Bruno, addressing the U.S. Marines stationed here. “I’m not sure how good it’s going to be.”

Actually, the turkey was pretty good – despite being served in a stifling tent – for the several hundred Marines and sailors deployed at this base about two hours’ drive from Iraq.

As the United States prepares for a possible war with Iraq, the Marines have established Camp Commando on the edge of a Kuwaiti military base to act as their command headquarters. From here, they would be able to control the tens of thousands of Marines arriving in Kuwait.

For these soldiers – mostly from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif. – it was yet another Thanksgiving away from home.

Under the watchful eyes of a live turkey, U.S. Army soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team line up for Thanksgiving dinner in the Kuwaiti desert. The troops shared a holiday meal in the shadow of a looming battle with Iraq.

“It’s a sacrifice,” said 1st Lt. Travis Knight, of Chattanooga, Tenn., who left two daughters and a pregnant wife back in the United States. But “it’s keeping people more safe at home.”

For most troops, loneliness is not the big problem. Many left the United States less than two weeks ago and have been working 12-hour shifts since they arrived in Kuwait.

In addition, they have each other.

“It’s like being among family,” said Lance Cpl. Cade Hines of Auburn, Neb., sitting in the meal tent. “We’re never alone out here.”