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HomeNewsFort Campbell's Wings of Destiny celebrates Thanksgiving

Fort Campbell’s Wings of Destiny celebrates Thanksgiving

Written by Sgt. Duncan Brennan
101st Combat Aviation Brigade

Wings of DestinyFort Campbell KY, 101st Airborne Division

Fort Campbell, KY – Soldiers from 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held their Thanksgiving meal at the Son Cafe dining facility on Fort Campbell, KY, November 26th, 2013.

The meal included all of the traditional items and was served to the soldiers by commanders, senior officers and noncommissioned officers.

Soldiers from 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault,) get served lunch by brigade staff officers and noncommissioned officers during the 101st CAB Thanksgiving meal at the Son Cafe dining facility on Fort Campbell, Ky., Nov. 26, 2013. The tradition of senior leadership serving holiday meals to soldiers is a long-running tradition that is meant to foster esprit de corps. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duncan Brennan, 101st CAB Public Affairs)
Soldiers from 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault,) get served lunch by brigade staff officers and noncommissioned officers during the 101st CAB Thanksgiving meal at the Son Cafe dining facility on Fort Campbell, Ky., Nov. 26, 2013. The tradition of senior leadership serving holiday meals to soldiers is a long-running tradition that is meant to foster esprit de corps. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duncan Brennan, 101st CAB Public Affairs)

“We’re having our Thanksgiving meal for the soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Hiram D. Montes, senior food service noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 6th Battalion, 101st CAB. “We’ll be providing them with turkey, ham, steamship, yams and all the trimmings. Hopefully we have 100 percent participation. We have the whole Thanksgiving spread.”

A lot of work went into the preparation. Thanksgiving and holiday meals are a big production for the dining facilities, and it brings out the competitive spirit.

“For some, they’ve been around and this is not the first time; others, this is their first Thanksgiving with the military.” said Montes. “The guys in the kitchen are excited Everyone’s excited, we put in a lot of hours of preparation and decorating. We’re really proud of all the work that the soldiers are putting in. We’re also competing against the other dining facilities.”

In addition to all the food and festive décor, senior leadership from the company to the brigade level come out to serve the soldiers. For new soldiers, this is a surprise.

“This is my first Thanksgiving in the Army,” said Pfc. Miguel Hernandez, food service specialist, A Company, 96th Aviation Support Battalion “I’ve only been in since April. They’re showing that even though there are still ranks involved they’re going to be here. They’re willing to show that they’re more than just a picture on the wall and appreciate the work we do.”

For senior leadership, serving soldiers at holiday and special meals is gratifying.

“I love it,” said Lt. Col. Mark Weathers, deputy commander, 101st CAB. “I like to see their faces and their smiles as they come in and see us serving them for once. Showing them that little bit of a appreciation is good. Honestly, having been in the Army 23 years, it’s a tradition that’s long held for the senior officers and NCOs to come out and serve meals to the soldiers. It gives us a chance to get out and thank the soldiers for what they do and wish them a happy Thanksgiving. If they can’t spend Thanksgiving with their family, they can spend it with their military family.”

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