EL PASO, Texas -- Every year several hundred soldiers don't get to go home during Thanksgiving, and even though Fort Bliss provides Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, there's nothing like a home-cooked meal. Many local families open their homes to soldiers every Thanksgiving through the Adopt-a-Soldier program.

"Thanksgiving to me is spending time with the family, people that you haven't seen for years who come in from other states. We get together to spend time with each other. I miss that a lot," said Private Stephanie Keathley, who's stationed at Fort Bliss.

"It's a very lonely time ... being away from family. I remember getting invited by a sergeant to his house, and we had Thanksgiving dinner with him, and it was a very pleasant time," said Gerardo Vasquez, who adopted two soldiers this Thanksgiving.

Vasquez said the holidays always bring back memories of his days in the military. He, too, had to spend the holidays away from family.

Keathley's from Phoenix, and Private Golden Schetter is from Ohio. They both have fond memories of the holidays with their extended family, but know this year will be a little different.

This Thanksgiving they've been invited to be part of the Vasquez family.

"When we picked them up they said ... they didn't know what to expect, and nobody does. It's a big surprise when you show up and pick them up," said Vasquez.

Early Thursday morning, the Vasquez family headed to Stout Gym at Fort Bliss. Hundreds of lonely soldiers were waiting to be adopted for Thanksgiving.

"This is actually very nice coming to spend time with a family. They open their house to us, so it's nice," said Keathley.

"Even though you make your own family in the military, there's nothing like your own family," said Vasquez. He tried adopting a third soldier, but was told there were enough families participating this year.