FORT SILL, Okla. (Dec. 5, 2013) -- The Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia Dining Facility (DFAC) opened its doors to Soldiers and the Lawton-Fort Sill community for a Thanksgiving feast with all of the trimmings.
The annual tradition brought attention to the skills and dedication of the Soldier-chefs, who worked hard to create a welcoming festive atmosphere.
The line of waiting guests stretched well into the parking lot while the Soldiers of the Garcia DFAC made their final checks and brought course after course to the serving line. There, commanders and senior non-commissioned officers washed and apron clad, stood ready to serve the hungry and thankful throng.
Food service specialists from the 214th Fires and 75th Fires brigades, and the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade who work together at the Garcia DFAC worked for two months to plan and prepare their annual Thanksgiving celebration. Hundreds of hours of additional labor went into preparing the extensive decorations and food preparations to provide the 1,000 guests with the best Thanksgiving experience possible.
"We put in a lot of work and extra effort to try and be as welcoming as possible so the Soldiers who can't be at home for the holiday can feel like they're at home," said Spc. Robert Taylor, 3rd Battalion, 2nd ADA food service specialist. "We get to learn and practice new skills while playing host to our fellow Soldiers. Seeing their satisfaction makes all of the work worth it."
The Soldiers' hard work, dedication and skills were evident with every conceivable surface filled with incredible, and mostly edible, decorations. Cakes bearing unit insignias, dedications and unbelievably intricate decorations stood beside ice sculptures, carved fruit ornamentations and even an old-western cityscape complete with figurines painted with food coloring that provoked guests to reach for cameras or stare in absolute awe.
"Thanksgiving is not just about food, it's about being with family, and even though I'm here alone, the DFAC's hard work has made me feel at home, like I'm with my family," said Pfc. Keith Soreghen, 168th Brigade Support Battalion.
The holiday celebration was also an opportunity for Soldiers to bond with members of the Fort Sill community, enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner alongside absolute strangers, sharing stories and holiday cheer.
While many of the Soldiers were there alone or with friends, others brought their families with them. Pfc. Micah Massey, 168th BSB, feasted with her boyfriend and his family.
"I am thankful for this meal and those who worked to provide it," said Massey. "This allows me to spend Thanksgiving with both his family and my Army family. It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity."
Diners were captivated by the extensive decorations and homely surroundings, but also satisfied by the wide variety of delicious foods served by smiling commanders and senior NCOs wearing aprons, food-preparation hats and full dress uniforms.
"It was nice to be greeted and served by the officers and NCOs, it really lets you know that they care and makes you feel at home. If it wasn't for this I wouldn't have a Thanksgiving meal, so this means a lot and the whole thing just makes me feel like I'm home," said Pfc.
Ragan Curvin, Headquart-ers and Headquarters Battery, 214th FiB.
The Thanksgiving holiday was not only celebrated at Garcia DFAC, part of the Fort Sill community deployed to Southwest Asia also celebrated the holiday with turkey and football.
The "Steel Warriors" of the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery held an battalion flag football tournament before enjoying their own turkey dinner and connecting with family through a "holiday shout-out booth" provided by the battalion communications section.
The meal's success at achieving the goals set forth by the Soldiers of the Garcia DFAC cannot be measured by the amount of food prepared, photos of decorations taken or even number of guests served, but only by the satisfied smiles and thanks given by all who benefited from the labor and dedication of those who made the feast possible.
"This was a great success," said Sgt. Richard Buycks, food service specialist, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, "even better than I expected. You can see it in everybody's smile and that makes all of the hard work well worth it. I no longer just feel like we did a good job, I know we did, and these Soldiers should be proud of it."
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