Crews Comprised Of Navy, USAF, Army Officers

The combined crews of shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station have sent a special greeting to members of the American military in time for the upcoming holiday season.

From orbit 220 miles above Earth, Commander Chris Ferguson (captain, US Navy), Pilot Eric Boe (colonel, US Air Force), Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke (colonel, US Air Force), Mission Specialist Shane Kimbrough (lieutenant colonel, US Army), Mission Specialist Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper (captain, US Navy) and Mission Specialist Steve Bowen (captain, US Navy) sent greetings to the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines around the world who are away from their families this holiday season. The crew thanked the service members for their commitment and dedication and wished them well.

The combined crews will be celebrating Thanksgiving aboard the International Space Station. During the mission, the astronauts have been working to service the station's solar arrays and deliver and install cargo and equipment necessary to expand the crew size from three to six people next year.

As ANN reported, Endeavour is scheduled to return home Sunday, November 30.

The special message to members of the military will be available during Tuesday's video file on NASA Television.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/ntv, www.nasa.gov/shuttle