warrant officer john shiplet, has already served three tours in war zones and duty could call again, anytime. which means time away from his wife and children. >> she set up the camera with the background of the christmas tree, showing the kids opening up their president. >> it is hard. the kids want daddy there. you are half empty. it is hard to go through it all half empty. >> reporter: last year was a blessing. the table was full. john got to be home for the holidays and there was more than enough food, thanks to the uso turkey for troops program. >> i got all the fixings, and it really helped. because that was one less burden i had to budget for. >> i just completed the next thing out there. specifically for the turkey. >> reporter: he was excited to come home and see everything i had bought. see what the uso had given us. his jaw dropped. >> it is nice to know people care enough about us to help our families while we are gone or even while we are here. just a big thank you. >> reporter: on behalf of the uso and 9news now, the thanks is all ours. i'm j. c. hayward, 9news now. >>