The iconic San Diego restaurant Kansas City BBQ, known as a filming location in “Top Gun,” opened its doors to active-duty service members on Thanksgiving.

“Family and friends, mostly thankful to God, for keeping us here every day,” Navy man Freely Jenkins said he was thankful for.

Jenkins is thankful for many other things, as well, including the many Thanksgiving memories he's celebrated with family.

“I celebrate at home, you know: We do family gatherings, we do games, food games, you know … stuff like that,” Jenkins said.

This is the first year Jenkins is spending away from home.

“We’re out here for some training,” Benjamin Tellez told NBC 7.

Tellez among the many active-duty service members who couldn’t spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones.

“It’s tough, but you keep going," J

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