FORT HOOD, TX — The turkey came a little early this year at Fort Hood. Soldiers across the post were treated to a Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings.
There was even a friendly competition between the different dining facilities who participated in a contest judged by Lt. Gen. Pat White, III Corps commanding general, along with senior leaders and personnel with the 407th Army Field Support Brigade Installation Food Service Team. Though the Theodore Roosevelt Dining Facility took home 1st place, there are no losers at The Great Place.
This Thanksgiving meal was months in the making. Though COVID-19 has proven to be a challenge when it came to gathering some of the ingredients for the feast, soldiers say it’s all worth it.
“You know, the mission and stuff like that is to feed the soldiers and spending that time getting to know each other,” said Sergeant First Class David Sedchlag, a dining facility manager.
It’s a holiday Americans observe every year. Soldiers celebrate it too, even when they are deployed.
“I’ve been in 15 years, so I’ve been in, for Thanksgivings, in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve been to Thanksgiving in Korea," said SFC Sedchlag.
“For my first year, I was in Korea at Camp Humphreys,” said Deja Freeman 92G, Army Food Service Specialist.
But it makes no difference where they are stationed, a few things remain the same.
“It’s nothing but hard work and dedication. People just trying to make others happy. It’s just family oriented," said Freeman.
“You know, we’re all about trying to stay together and make sure that we fight through this the best that we can while maintaining our protection," said Major General Jeff Broadwater, Commanding General of the 1st Calvary Division.
It's about family, food, and fortitude.
“Being able to bring everybody together for this Thanksgiving is very special, but it’s humbling to be a part of such an organization like this, and we’re also very proud of each and every one of them for what they do,” said Major General Broadwater.
