CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Community residents donated, cooked and served a feast for the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program here on Thanksgiving Day.
The free dinner was available at the Camp Zama BOSS Warrior Zone Nov. 23, and about 60 Soldiers took advantage of the home-cooked food and chance to spend time with their peers.
Randy Benton, BOSS program adviser for U.S. Army Garrison Japan’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, thanked the people who worked behind the scenes to host the event.
“This would have not been possible without the outstanding community support from our residents,” Benton said. “Thank you to everyone who helped us out this year.”
In addition to food for the dinner coming from donations from the community, Benton said the Camp Zama Community Club turkey and ham.
Takila Frazier, an Army Community Services site coordinator, was on hand cooking and serving the food, to include her collard greens, mashed potatoes and banana pudding. She said she just wanted to make sure the Soldiers were taken care of on the holiday.
“If it were my son or daughter, I would want someone to take them under their wing and help,” said Frazier, an Air Force veteran.
BOSS president Spc. Michelle Antonio said the event was an important way to connect with those who might be away from home for the first time.
“The holiday season is especially hard for single Soldiers so if giving them something to do, a place to be at, and especially good food to eat helps make their Thanksgiving away from home easier, we will gladly do that,” she said.
Antonio said the community involvement made the event even more special.
“Thank you to all who helped us make the dinner possible,” she said. “All of us truly appreciate the gift you blessed us with this Thanksgiving. Personally, this is only my second ‘traditional’ Thanksgiving, and [it] has been such an honor to try such delicious food! Truly, I want to thank everyone who donated and took time off their day to make this possible!”
Staff Sgt. Lauren Hassler and Spc. Nayellie Maysonet, both Soldiers stationed at Camp Zama, said they were appreciative of the community efforts to provide them an additional option for Thanksgiving dinner with friends. And both said they told family and friends back in the States not to worry because they were receiving a home-cooked meal.
“This kind of event gives the single Soldiers living in the barracks the opportunity to feel like a part of a community on the holidays,” Hassler said. “It really makes a difference.”
Antonio stressed that Soldiers should continue to utilize the Warrior Zone, especially through the rest of the holiday season.
“As we all know, being away from home is hard enough—holidays are even harder,” she said. “Come out and meet new people. There is a roof, drinks, food, and even entertainment being provided … take advantage of it!
“We wish for you all to know you have a safe space here on Camp Zama, even if it is to just get out of your room—it can get stuffy in there,” Antonio said. “Please come to the Warrior Zone … we are looking forward to seeing you all this upcoming year and taking Camp Zama’s BOSS program to new heights!”
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