Working The Holiday Means Spending Christmas With Co-Workers

Newson6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Instead of spending the holiday with family, many people are working on Christmas Day because their jobs require it.

Soldiers, police officers, medical workers and even journalists work in industries that require staffing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Several EMSA paramedics ate their Christmas meal at Furr's Family Dining in Tulsa, one of the few restaurants open on Christmas. It's become a holiday tradition for the emergency workers.

"It's awesome that they're open on the holiday for us. Otherwise, who knows, fend for yourself. But they provide food and it's pretty good," paramedic Josh Burt said.

The restaurant staff was also working hard on the holiday. The line of people waiting for a Christmas meal stretched out the door.

"It's a great feeling," said Furr's manager Jaime Luevanos. "You can feel the spirit in the air. It's just a great feeling to be here, and all the employees are excited to be here. It's just a great day. It's fantastic to be here today."

Luevanos said Christmas Day is by far the restaurant's busiest day of the year.