FORT BLISS, Texas (June 12, 2014) -- Members of the Salvation Army did not only hand out free doughnuts to Fort Bliss troops at the Old Fort Bliss Replica Friday, they handed out reminders of history.
From the Salvation Army "lassies" who fried doughnuts in World War I helmets to members of the organization who distribute them now, the Salvation Army has a long history of providing cheer to U.S. troops with doughnuts.
The tradition began during World War I in France, when a U.S. Soldier mentioned to a Salvation Army lassie he was homesick, said Rose Lucero, director of development and communications for the Salvation Army of El Paso. Lassies were female volunteers who helped with letters, mending uniforms and cooking.
The lassie asked the Soldier what might make him feel better, and he said a doughnut might help provide some semblance of home, Lucero said.
The woman looked in her cupboard, discovered she had the necessary ingredients to make doughnuts, and began a tradition that continues today, Lucero said.
In 1938 in Chicago, Salvation Army officials proclaimed the first Friday of June to be National Doughnut Day, Lucero said. This year the day fell on June 6, the 70th anniversary of allied troops invading Normandy, France.
Sgt. Joshua Waugh, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Fort Bliss Garrison Command, said the organization's gesture of support meant even more to him because the day corresponded with the anniversary of the Normandy invasion.
"It's the 6th of June," Waugh said, "and it's one of the most significant days in Army history."
Lucero said several local bakeries donated doughnuts for doughnut day events on Fort Bliss. The organization also handed out free doughnuts at Freedom Crossing Saturday.
Many of the Soldiers who received doughnuts during the Old Fort Bliss Replica event had just finished either an early morning "ruck march" with the 31st Combat Support Hospital or a two-mile run with Fort Bliss Garrison Command. A ruck march is a fast-paced foot march Soldiers do while wearing a heavy backpack.
"I think it's awesome," said Pvt. Ava Tischendorf, assigned to 31st CSH, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Armored Division. "It's super awesome that they're helping out the Soldiers. It's definitely motivating after a ruck march."
Capt. Rosa Gutierrez, 3rd Battalion, 362nd Armor Regiment, 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West, said she not only appreciated the gesture, but also appreciated how cheerful, kind and happy the Salvation Army representatives were while handing out the doughnuts, coffee, water and juice.
"That's always appreciated, when you get civilians cheerfully out supporting the troops," she said.
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