A Taste of Home: Thanksgiving at Fort Drum provides sense of camaraderie

Thanksgiving at Fort Drum was a feast for the senses, as culinary specialists from across the 10th Mountain Division (LI) provided a vast and flavorful spread. The dining facilities on post catered to every palate, offering a diverse menu that celebrated both tradition and innovation.

Each of the DFACs had a unique approach to holiday dining by transforming into festive culinary hubs and a traditional dining hall experience. Soldiers and their families chose from a variety of themed food stations from a classic Thanksgiving, with all the standard fixings, to international cuisine inspired by the diverse backgrounds of the post's community.

The Fort Drum culinary specialists worked in unison to prepare a Thanksgiving feast at their respective dining facilities, the aroma of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie wafting through the air.

“My goal is to make my customers happy, keep them well-fed and mission-ready,” said Staff Sgt. Margaret Cox, a culinary management noncommissioned officer with 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade. “Events like this allow Soldiers to see that we're not just 92G or culinary specialists at the end of the day; we're more than that.”

The shared experience of preparing and enjoying a home-cooked meal together fostered a sense of camaraderie and belonging among the troops, creating a space that reminds them of the comforts of home.

The biggest challenge the culinary specialists faced was logistical – ordering the right amounts of food and having the equipment and personnel capable of serving the regular meal schedule in addition to the Thanksgiving meal. Sgt. Gabrielle Goba, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, emphasized the importance of time management and teamwork in pulling off such a large-scale operation.

“It's not just a one-day process; we had to prepare 48 hours in advance,” Goba said. “The busiest was last night. We had to split our shifts, and some of us have been working since 1900.”

Each dish, from the turkey to the mashed potatoes, was crafted with detail and care, reflecting the spirit of gratitude and generosity. As the Soldiers sat down to enjoy their meal, the satisfaction of providing them with a taste of home was palpable.

Officers and senior enlisted advisors wore their dress uniforms to serve food on Thanksgiving as a tradition to reinforce the values of selfless service and dedication to the Soldiers they lead.

“It's really important for the Soldiers on base to have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving,” said Sandra Mutchock, spouse of Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Mutchock, Commando Warrior Restaurant manager. “It's hard to pick whether you go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, so people tend to stay around base, and it's important to have that Thanksgiving meal.”

Soldiers and civilians alike came together, sharing stories and laughter, and created a sense of camaraderie that transcended the logistical hurdles of the day. Thanksgiving filled the air, a testament to the community and resilience of the 10th Mountain Division (LI).