FORT STEWART, Ga. -Traditionally in the United States, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks - for harvest, and to others for many blessings. The Army also celebrates this longtime American tradition as officers and senior noncommissioned officers serve a holiday feast to Soldiers and Family Members at installation dining facilities.
"It's very important to give back to our Soldiers and serve them a Thanksgiving meal," said Sgt. 1st Class Roy Gunn, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who served at the Vanguard Dining Facility on Fort Stewart. "We are one big Army Family. To see all of our brothers and sisters in uniform and their Families together, enjoying a good meal, was more than a blessing."
Third Infantry Division Soldiers and Family Members stood in lines that wrapped around the Vanguard, Provider and Warriors in Transition dining facilities, Nov. 25, to feast on everything from shrimp cocktail, roast turkey and pineapple baked ham to candied sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing and, of course, assorted pies.
The Rangers served their holiday meal at Hunter Army Airfield, Nov. 24, and the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team opened their dining facility doors to troops on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.
Additionaly, the installation dining facilities used the holiday to showcase culinary expertise as food service personel participated in the 2009 Thanksgiving Best Dining Facility Competition.
Soldier-cooks prepared cakes, hung holiday decorations and even carved ice sculptures in a race to win the five categories.
The winners are as follows:
Best Decorated Dining Facility - 1st HBCT's Raider DFAC; runner up, 4th IBCT Vanguard DFAC
Best Thanksgiving Ice Carving - 4th IBCT Vanguard DFAC
Best Thanksgiving Centerpieces - 3rd Sustainment Brigade Provider DFAC
Best Decorated Cakes - Warrior in Transition Battalion DFAC
Best Fallen Comrade Dedication - 1st HBCT Raider DFAC
"This competition was a plus for dining facilities at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield," said Master Sgt. Dante Sampson, 4th IBCT Food Service supervisor. "The hard work and dedication truly led up to the overall success of the awesome Thanksgiving Day meals served in all dining facilities."
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