Photo By Pfc. Michael Syner | Simpsonville, S.C., native, Sgt. Charles Leonard, and Pvt. 1st Class Jessica Daly,...... read more read more
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By Pvt. 1st Class Michael Syner
10th Sustainment Brigade
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Thanksgiving was celebrated with enthusiasm, creating a light-hearted atmosphere for the deployed Soldiers, many of them experiencing their first holiday in theater.
They did a good job making Taji look like home, said Sgt. Emily H. Bentley, a 10th Sustainment Brigade communications sergeant and Moorhead, Minn., native.
It would have been impossible to miss the differences in the dining facility, or DFAC. The first thing to catch the eye was a line that extended nearly from the DFAC checkpoint to the front door. After entering the building, the Puritan and Native American clothing of some of the workers, combined with extravagant displays that depicted the Mayflower and turkeys, echoed the time of year to all.
Soldiers patiently waited in line to get their piece of the bird, prime rib or Cornish hen, complete with all the trimmings.
"I was very impressed with the layout," said Bentley. "This is my first deployment, and it is nice to get a taste of home while I'm in Iraq."
That is a common sentiment, even from those who have been deployed numerous times.
"It's good that they do this," said Nathville, N.Y., native Sgt. Mary D. Singer, a supply and logistics sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Sustainment Brigade, and veteran of three combat tours. "It reminds Soldiers of home and improves morale."
When surrounded by the iconic symbolism of a purely American holiday, it is difficult to not be reminded of home. The DFAC was bisected by a long table harboring a series of displays, from a massive Mayflower replication to a gingerbread house.
"The displays are great," said Capt. Sharla N. Harris, a Cincinnati native and assistant officer in charge of 1st Sust. Bde.'s operations.
But the displays did not detract from the meaning of the holiday.
"I have a lot to be thankful for," said Fort Valley, Ga., native Spc. Marquez T. Hillman, who works in the 10th Sust. Bde. operations section. "I'm grateful for my three month-old daughter, Mariah, and my opportunity to do something for my country."
For many Soldiers from 1st Sust. Bde., it marked the end of the deployment. When asked about what they are thankful for, almost all of them replied "going back home." They served for 15 months in Iraq and experienced two Thanksgivings during their deployment.
For the 10th, the holiday heralds a period of hard work and patriotism.
"I'm glad to be able to serve my country," said Hillman, "but I'll be glad to go back home."
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.07.2008 06:07 |
| Story ID: | 27286 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 254 |
| Downloads: | 208 |
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