A Marne Thanksgiving meal to remember

FORT STEWART, Ga. - In conjunction with the annual "Best dining facility" competition, more than 2,500 people were served a Thanksgiving meal to remember by senior leaders, including the 3rd Infantry Division command team, Maj. Gen. John M. Murray and Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, from Hunter Army Airfield to Fort Stewart, Ga., Nov. 27.

The brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division spared little creativity with their themed dining experiences in an attempt to capture the title of 3rd Infantry Division's best dining facility. With the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team having already claimed the Connelly Award for the best garrison dining facility, the other brigades knew that if they wanted to win they would have to bring their "A" game.

Five dining facilities competed for the title: Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion; 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team; 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team; 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Hunter Army Airfield's consolidated facility. Every unit brought their best to the table treating visitors a full, traditional Thanksgiving Day feast with added flair from their chosen themes ranging from the magical world of Disney to legendary blues.

Murray and Watson, along with their wives, spent the day touring the different facilities taking in the variety of experiences that each had to offer. During this time, the command team took the opportunity to speak to soldiers and family members about the upcoming holiday season.

"The meal was really delicious," said Pvt. Michael Smith, a soldier with 1ABCT. "Not being able to make it home this year, it really meant a lot being able to still have the usual Thanksgiving meal, and if I couldn't spend the holiday with my parents and siblings, there is no one else I would rather spend it with than my brothers and sisters here at Fort Stewart."

For the 4th IBCT this holiday is a bit more special. For the first time in nine months, all Vanguard soldiers were able to gather at their dining facility to break bread thanks to their final redeployment ceremony bringing home the last of those deployed this past week. Plates were piled high, and smiles and laughter were as abundant as the food.

Smiles and laughter continued as the tour of dining facilities came to a close at the 4th IBCT facility. A special ceremony was held to present Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Owens Sr., 4th IBCT DFAC manager, with the highly-coveted Connelly Award. The award honors the Vanguard dining facility as the best military garrison dining facility. And just when they thought the day could not get any better, the score cards were finally tallied and the timing could not be any better.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 William L. Liggon, the 3rd ID food adviser, informed Murray that no extra trips would be needed to present the award of the day. As Liggon approached the already huddled Vanguard team, the results were obvious. Murray presented a shocked, teary-eyed Sgt. Ebony Johnson, Vanguard dining facility event coordinator, with the trophy for "Best overall dining facility."

The day was a complete success for everyone involved though. More than 3,500 pounds of turkey and almost 900 hams were served throughout the day, and the 3rd Infantry Division highlighted the importance of "family first," especially within the Army family.