Photo by Deb Gau Volunteers at Marshall’s community Thanksgiving were busy serving up hot turkey dinners for hundreds of people. The serving line was going steady for more than an hour straight on Thursday afternoon.

MARSHALL — All across the country, the Thanksgiving holiday was bringing people together on Thursday. It was no different at the National Guard Armory in Marshall, where the line for a hot turkey dinner stretched around the gymnasium. Whether they were local residents or visiting family, everybody was welcome at the community Thanksgiving meal.

With guests at the Armory, takeout and delivery meals, and a crew of volunteer workers, hundreds of people took part in this year’s community Thanksgiving. Organizers estimated around 300 takeout meals were delivered around Marshall, in addition to the steady crowd of people eating at the Armory. Teri Hively said volunteers also took Thanksgiving meals out to the hospice houses in Marshall for the first time this year.

Delivery groups were returning to the Armory before noon on Thursday. Soe K. Doe and Ta Eh Doh walked in with their arms full, carrying couple of empty coolers. They had just teamed up with Vickie Radloff to do a delivery route. Doe said their group delivered around 26 or 27 meals.

“It was pretty fun,” he said.

Diners at the community dinner were also having a good time. Some said they enjoyed getting together with friends and family. Sean Borth and Nicole Borth said their family was having Thanksgiving dinner at the community gathering, after having attended once a couple years ago.

“It was easy, and nice,” Nicole Borth said of the holiday meal. The experience was part of what brought their family back.

It takes teamwork to put on the community meal each November. Kelly Deutz said volunteers started making meal preparations earlier this week.

“We start on Tuesday at the church,” getting potatoes and vegetables ready, she said. Volunteers also come in early Thanksgiving morning to set up and decorate tables at the Armory.

Hively said two dozen turkeys were prepared in roasters for Thursday’s meal.

Being able to serve others was one of the good things about working at the community Thanksgiving, volunteers said.

“This is actually what I love doing,” said Neely Murphy. As a greeter, Murphy was dressed in a Pilgrim costume and welcoming people into the Armory. “I’m a talker,” she said, so she fit right in chatting with people as they waited in the serving line.

Both Murphy and fellow volunteer Ed McCarthy said service was an important part of the day.

“We’re blessed that we can help to serve,” McCarthy said.