FORT CARSON, Colo. Three hundred turkeys, 1,560 pounds of mashed potatoes, 1,080 pounds of green beans and 525 pounds of stuffing; now that's a feast.
Thirty-five Fort Carson Soldiers volunteered their time at the Warhorse Dining Facility last week to work shifts around the clock to prepare Thanksgiving meals to feed 5,000 people at Salvation Army locations in Colorado Springs. And on Thanksgiving Day, Garrison Commander Col. Robert F. McLaughlin and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. James A. Kilpatrick were among those donating their time to serve the hot holiday meals to those less-fortunate that live in the community.
This is the 21st year Fort Carson Soldiers have united to prepare the meals with
items donated from throughout the community.
Alma Scott, Salvation Army director of volunteers, is amazed that the busy Mountain Post continues to support the community despite its numerous deployments.
"The Soldiers still take the time to take care of those in the community," she said. "We truly could not do this without Fort Carson."
Soldiers involved in the food preparation were honored to be able to give back to a community that continually supports Fort Carson, its Soldiers and Families.
"It means a lot (to give back to the community)," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Mullins, Fort Carson Culinary Team captain from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who served as the food preparation noncommissioned officer in charge. "This is a chance for us to give back to (the community) because they do so much for us."
He noted it was a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it.
Volunteer Staff Sgt. Jose Rodriguez, 360th Transportation Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, who has been at Fort Carson a month now, agrees.
"The Army has blessed me with a lot of things," he said. "It's just good to give back to
the community."
Not all the holiday fixings prepared on post were delivered to the community, however, four post dining facilities treated its guests to Thanksgiving meals - Raider DFAC on the actual
holiday and the others prior to Thanksgiving, and the child development centers invited Families of the children cared for at the post facilities to join them for a holiday meal.
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