COLORADO SPRINGS -- At 1 a.m., heat filled the spaces in Fort Carson's mobile kitchens. Within a couple of hours, the aroma of pancakes and eggs permeated the air in preparation for the 54th annual Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast in downtown Colorado Springs, June 18.
Fort Carson cooks, led by Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Geier, food service adviser, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, volunteered to serve more than 7,000 community members of Colorado Springs.
"This is my second year being in charge of the street breakfast," said Geier. "We set up our mobile kitchen trailers and containerized kitchens in three different areas just after midnight. We served (many) more people this year than we did last year. It was a very nice turnout."
The breakfast was the official kickoff of the city's Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.
"It's really amazing to support the surrounding community," Geier said. "We enjoyed the event because it shows civilians and Soldiers what we do as Army cooks," said Spc. Herman Reinhold, food service specialist, Headquarters Support Company, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB.
Although tired from the long day, cooks stayed motivated and enjoyed working with the community and its volunteers, said Spc. Joshua Simanteris, 404th ASB.
"We started pretty early this morning, but Colorado Springs supports us a lot," he said. "This is why we love supporting them whenever we can. This is new to me, and I think other duty stations should participate in events like this."
The food service specialists were overjoyed to receive thanks from locals in attendance, said Simanteris.
"The 'thank you' that stood out the most (for me) was from an old Army veteran," he said. "The veteran said that he hasn't eaten Army chow in many years. It's always a good feeling to hear that from veterans."
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