FORT BLISS, Texas--The William Beaumont Army Medical Center staff, families and friends celebrated the Thanksgiving Day meal on Nov. 27 in the Saint Martin Dining Facility.
The tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving began in 1621 when the Plymouth Rock, Mass., colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States. This feast is remembered for the relationship between the English colonists and Native Americans. Even though the dinner is remembered as the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was a traditional observance celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for the harvest.
During the Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington observed Thanksgiving and when he became president he declared Nov. 26, 1789, a national day of thanksgiving and prayer. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a thanksgiving and prayer by proclaiming the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving and praise.
In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday in November to extend the holiday shopping season by a week. This was a controversial decision which caused debate between the U.S. House and Senate. Two years later, the two Houses agreed that the fourth Thursday in November was to be a national holiday.
In keeping with military tradition, the dining facility was decorated and the meal was blessed by Ch (Lt. Col.) Pearlean Scott, chief, Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, before guest entered the facility to be served by the WBAMC commander Col. James M. Baunchalk and WBAMC staff.
"It is a standing tradition for the senior commanders and staff dressed in formal attire to serve Soldiers on Thanksgiving Day," said Lt. Col. Julie K. Hudson, chief, Nutrition Care Division. The Soldiers appreciate their efforts and the senior commanders and staff enjoy their service to Soldiers and their families.
Thanksgiving is about pausing, reflecting and giving thanks for what we have. This year, Thanksgiving is especially stressful because our Armed Forces are deployed worldwide. "We must remember these [service men and women] who are deployed away from their families," Baunchalk said.
He also thanked the dining facility staff for an outstanding job and said that he was especially pleased with the chef, culinary and decorations. "They have absolutely outdone themselves. I am genuinely pleased with today's Thanksgiving preparations," said Baunchalk.
It is important that we celebrate Thanksgiving with everyone -- patients, staff, retirees, veterans and families. Today, everyone is afforded an opportunity for a taste of a home cooked meal. 'They are all a part of the military family, especially the veterans who have made sacrifices for the many liberties that we enjoy," said Hudson.
"The ambiance as my family and I walked entered the dining facility set the tone for a wonderful meal," said Maj Vanessa Hicks-Callaway with the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. "It is our family tradition to have the Thanksgiving meal in a dining facility. "We've always had a positive experience with the meal. Today's meal is the best that we've [experienced]. My family and I are so [thankful] for what the Lord has done in our lives and this meal manifests itself in how much we have to be thankful for."
Hicks-Callaway sentiments were echoed by her husband, Jason Callaway. He added that the meal was exceptional and was glad that the family was invited to share their Thanksgiving meal in the dining facility.
Eric Callaway, age 9 and a fourth grader at Logan Elementary School, said that the meal was great and that this was an opportunity to give "thanks" for all that he has -- parents, home, clothes, food and Jesus. "I would like to come back next year if we are still here." This food is the best that I've eaten," while dining with his family.
Because of command support and the tireless efforts of the dining facility staff and others, everyone who ate their Thanksgiving meal in the Saint Martin Dining Facility should have had an exceptional dining experience, Hudson concluded.
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