A Santa Clarita man serving in the U.S. Navy was chosen to participate in a special event that reunited military service members stationed in Norfolk, Virginia with their families for Thanksgiving.

A 2014 Saugus High School graduate, Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Davis was one of only 72 Sailors and Marines selected to participate in the event, called “Happy ThanksGathering.”

“It’s amazing that my family got to come out here to visit for Thanksgiving,” said Davis, whose mother and brother, Penny and Andrew Davis, and sister, Nicole Keith — all Santa Clarita Valley residents — were flown to Norfolk last week through the program.

“Happy ThanksGathering” is held by the U.S. Navy Mid-Atlantic Region Morale, Welfare and Recreation in partnership with SC Johnson due to the fact that many military service members are unable to see their families during the holidays.

Throughout the two-day event, participants enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner, a tour of a Navy ship and a Thanksgiving Day football party. The band “Train” also performed a private concert for event participants and other Navy personnel stationed in Norfolk.

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“I am so grateful for everything members of our armed forces and their families do each and every day to protect our country. They sacrifice a great deal, especially time away from their loved ones,” said Fisk Johnson, chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. “Reuniting these families for Thanksgiving is one small way that SC Johnson can say ‘thank you.’”

Norfolk is home to nearly 70 ships and 40 aviation squadrons that make up the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, with approximately 44,000 Sailors stationed in the area.

“Our service men and women work incredibly hard throughout the year and many are unable to visit their families during the holidays,” said Capt. Doug Beaver, commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk. “SC Johnson’s support to unite these families for Thanksgiving is especially welcome and will make an incredible difference in the lives of these young men and women. This celebration will create memories for these families that will last a lifetime.”