Fort McCoy was established in 1909. Here is a look at some November history from the installation.
79 Years Ago — Nov. 28, 1942
*News of the boys from the 100th Infantry Battalion as passed to Our Roving Reporter*
Thanksgiving Day for we Hawaiians was something new, as we are overwhelmed by the beauties of snow; everything was in white.
Staff Sgt. M. Rondo and Pfc. Mike Takahashi ate a turkey they won in a church raffle Sunday in La Crosse. Friends there prepared it at their home.
Many are finding the new obstacle course a tough one.
Although it is not yet December, many of us are already receiving Christmas presents. Many are giving their gifts to their friends here.
The overnight problem of the battalion was one that we will not forget soon. We hardly slept a wink because of the cold, and found our canteens frozen. However, we discovered we could “take it” and guess it won’t be long before we can stand the cold, too.
One of the boys got a letter from Hawaii that the folks there are staying home because of the cold, too. They are having very “unusual weather,” the temperature falling to an unheard of 60 degrees, according to the letter.
31 Years Ago — Nov. 16, 1990
In most parts of the country, Thanksgiving comes but once a year. But Fort McCoy celebrated the festive occasion ahead of schedule on five different days.
According to Greg Foss, Directorate of Logistics (DOL) Supply and Services Division chief, Fort McCoy wanted to insure that all units deploying from the installation to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield got a traditional Thanksgiving dinner before their departure.
DOL Food Service Adviser Ross ONeil said Thanksgiving at Fort McCoy this year was a real challenge in terms of scheduling and preparation. “We prepared about 450 pounds of ham, 800 pounds of turkey, 1,000 pounds of prime rib, and 340 pies, in addition to all the traditional trimmings,” he said.
“More than 2,000 people were served in 12 different dining facilities on five different days,” he added.
“A lot of people put in a lot of work to make this Thanksgiving special for members of the deploying units, and I think this extra effort was appreciated,” Foss said.
“I know our food service people felt good about being able to do something extra for the soldiers before they left,” he added.
9 Years Ago — Nov. 15, 2012
Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Steven W. Nott and Garrison Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. Bill Bissonette served a Thanksgiving meal to installation Soldiers at Dining Facility 50 on Nov. 15, 2012.
The event is an annual installation Dining Facility tradition to help Soldiers celebrate the upcoming holiday season.
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