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Thanksgiving at Ft. Benning

Maria Jones

Story Created: Nov 26, 2009 at 1:27 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 27, 2009 at 9:34 AM CDT

The men and women who serve our country were served a huge Thanksgiving Feast yesterday at Ft. Benning. Non-commissioned Officers served the meal to more than 13-thousand troops. Dining Facility Manager, Ronald Jenkins says for a meal this size it takes days of preparations and all hands on deck. But he says it’s their way of thanking those who protect our freedoms at home and on foreign soil. Many of the service members said they were thankful for the meal because it reminded them of home. “Makes me feel real good to know that he Army does care and the Ft. Benning community does care about the soldiers to put on a good meal for these guys,”Contractor/Curtis McCollum said. “It’s very heartwarming that people like civilians care, not just for our nutrition but as well as the things that we do,” SSG Jaidante Burton added." “It makes me feel pretty good that they are actually putting in that much work for us,” SSG Jason Custer told News 38. “Not only is it a job, we feel a sense of patriotism as well. We understand the obstacles that they face throughout the day and throughout the months and years. We know the adversity that they have to overcome; we understand the ultimate sacrifice some of them you know might have to make. And we don’t take that lightly at all. We don’t take it lightly at all so we give our best efforts and we are grateful and appreciative and that comes through in the quality of the food that we serve,” Ronald Jenkins/Dining Facility Manager explained. For the Thanksgiving Day feast the facility prepared 18-hundred turkeys, more than 54-hundred pounds of beef, and 74-hundred pounds of pork. Santa also stopped by to spread some holiday cheer.