USO delivers fixins’ for fun Christmas Day dinner at Nellis

Inside a wide event ballroom on Nellis Air Force Base on Friday afternoon, James Garrard was picturing Tennessee.

It's where the 20-year-old airman spent last Christmas and every Dec. 25 before that — in a home in the hills, with family, food and a Christmas movie marathon to end the night.

That was before basic training, before he was stationed in Las Vegas.

The thump of a beanbag hitting a corn-hole board in the ballroom made him turn around, then look around. He was missing home, but he was happy he wasn't alone either.

Instead of helping cook a homemade potluck dinner, he and about 300 other servicemen and women were served a free Christmas brunch on behalf of the Las Vegas chapter of USO.

USO Director Tim Mullin said volunteers would drop off leftovers — from Buca di Beppo — to the airmen and women around the base who had to work during the event.

As people filed in to get food, Mullin helped host a series of contests. One — a pie-eating contest — drew a crowd of about 50, who shouted and cheered as the 11 contestants sat in a circle and shoveled cinnamon apple chunks and handfuls of crust into their mouths.

"It's OK, Junior. You're good baby," said Shalonda McCaleb, who calmly rooted on her son, Sharmell McCaleb, 15.

His father, also named Sharmell, was a little louder.

"Come on!" he yelled. "Eat that pie!"

A minute later, the son was the winner. He posed with his prize: A new TV, donated by MGM Resorts International. And his father, 39, was happy his family came.

"It's been so fun," he said.

After eating, Garrard and three friends played life-size Jenga, a block-stacking game. Around them, fold-out tables were covered with plastic tablecloths — some green, some red, all topped with a pot of poinsettias. Families sat together at some, such as Ricky Qian and Julio Rosales.

Qian, 23, met Rosales, also 23, for the first time at the event. Both of them spent Christmas away from family last year, too, and both admitted that without relatives around and presents to open, Friday felt like a normal day.

"I haven't been at home for Christmas since I was 19," said Evan Weathersby, 23, their mutual friend.

Though Garrard was starting to agree with the others, he said having friends in the same boat helps. They all got together to watch The Polar Express Thursday night.

And in the back of the ballroom Friday stood a Christmas tree, speckled with simple ornaments and topped with a crooked star. The food was on warmers, the contests continued.

"This makes it better," Garrard said.

Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Find her on Twitter: @rachelacrosby.