Tons of turkey head overseas for troops holiday meals

By American Forces Press ServiceNovember 28, 2008

Soldiers enjoy Thanksgiving meal
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Jose Polanco, a New York City native, and executive officer for the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, pours gravy for Staff Sgt. Corinne Peter... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers enjoy Thanksgiving
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Mike Poaletti, a native of Virginia, Minn., who serves as the commander of the Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, displays his serving prowess as he serves the troops at Forwar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
25th ID Soldiers enjoy Tgiving Day
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 3 Willie Taylor (right) of 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, dines at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq's North Dining Facility with members of his unit, Sgt. 1st Class Darrin Fox, (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Alex... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers' Recipes Spice Up Thanksgiving Meal at Ironhorse Oasis
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Sgt. Thomas Jones, a native of Toms River, N.J., who serves as the senior enlisted leader of Company C, Command Post Detachment, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and 1st Sgt. Scott Eremu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON - Soldiers and other servicemembers serving in the Middle East dined on a traditional Thanksgiving meal Thursday, thanks to the efforts of Defense Supply Center Philadelphia employees.

The supply center has sent thousands of pounds of food - including more than 120,000 pounds of whole turkeys and more than 170,000 pies -- to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Dubai and Djibouti.

The center has sent the following items overseas for tomorrow's meal:

-- Whole turkey: 121,108 pounds, worth $323,228.60;

-- Turkey breast meat: 109,780 pounds, worth $437,991.49;

-- Turkey thigh meat: 145,780 pounds, worth $361,852.66;

-- Ham: 95,826 pounds, worth $263,199.92;

-- Beef: 178,466 pounds, worth $1,139,970.37;

-- Shrimp: 131,359 pounds, worth $1,712,960.70;

-- Stuffing mix: 16,874 containers, worth $149,025.40;

-- Potatoes: 14,308 containers, worth $64,181.47;

-- Sweet potatoes, 56,104 cans, worth $137,584.15;

-- Cranberry sauce, 10,994 cans, worth $74,683.30;

-- Corn: 32,535 pounds, worth $155,874.42; and

-- Assorted pies: 179,810 individual pies, worth $1,451,491.36.

The center, part of the Defense Logistics Agency, annually supplies $13.4 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, medicines, medical equipment, construction and equipment supplies and services to servicemembers and their families and other federal customers worldwide.

(From a Defense Logistics Agency news release.)