Time honored tradition

Photo By Master Sgt. Opal Vaughn | Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by playing a game of spades at Contingency Operating Base Zaganiyah, Iraq, Nov. 27.  

11.29.2008

Story by Spc. Opal Vaughn  

14th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Opal Vaughn
14th Public Affairs Detachment

What would Thanksgiving be like without ham, cranberry sauce and oh yes, the turkey?

In 1621, Plymouth colonists sat down with the Wampanoag Tribe and celebrated the autumn harvest. Now, every year Americans celebrate that day, now known as Thanksgiving, in commemoration of the harvest celebrated so long ago.

Many Americans often choose to use this day as a time of reflection on what they are most thankful for. In doing so, closest family, friends and extended relatives gather together and eat a feast made for a king.

Similarly, Soldiers deployed to Iraq recently continued the same tradition by celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with their army family, Nov. 27.

Traditionally, senior leaders will wear their finest attire, such as dress blues or class A's, and serve their troops. This year, several military senior leaders added to the time-honored tradition and visited and ate with Soldiers at several different installations in the Diyala province of Iraq.

Those travelling from post to post included Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, Col. Burt Thompson, Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Blackwood and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Cervantes.

"I'm not quite sure when this tradition began but back when I was private, my commander and command sergeant major served me Thanksgiving dinner," said Springfield, Mass. native, Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Crump, command sergeant major, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, located at Forward Operating Base Normandy.

"So it's a long standing tradition, a tradition which shows the Soldiers we are all part of the same team," Crump continued, "So today, we've got some roast beef, turkey, ham and all the fixings put together for the Soldiers."

Every Thanksgiving holiday, top senior leaders take time to serve their Soldiers.

"Serving the Soldiers puts the right emphasis on the level of support the chain of command has for them and shows our Soldiers they are an equal part to what we are doing," said San Antonio, Texas native, Maj. Edward Kovaleski, battalion executive officer, 3-21, 1st SBCT, 25th Inf. Div.

"Even though we are not at home with our individual families, it's still the holidays, and we are still a family," Kovaleski stated. "These Soldiers are doing a great job and service to their country."

Most Soldiers will all agree that they would rather be at home with their own families during the Holidays. Perhaps that is to be expected.

Many times while deployed, Soldiers find themselves becoming a shoulder for others to lean on during the holidays .

"I'm having dinner with my section for Thanksgiving," said Baltimore, Md. native, Pfc. Thomas Baumeister, Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, located at Contingency Operating Base Malala. "I'm not around family, but these guys are the closest to family that I've got while I'm over here."

Having the support of a battle buddy is always important during the holiday season. "Our command has a good dinner and has scheduled an amount of time for us to all sit down and eat as a platoon," said Callas Rock, Colo. native, Spc. Koul Jackson, 2-8FA, 1st SBCT, 25th Inf. Div.

Continuing traditions are always important for holiday morale especially within the Army family while deployed.

"We're forming new traditions because we've got a new unit out here in Iraq, under new circumstances and a new area of operations," Jackson added. "I'm sure we will begin to build traditions for special occasions and holidays, starting with this Thanksgiving Day."

Regardless of how this Thanksgiving will be spent, being thankful and having an appreciation toward others is what the holiday spirit is all about.

"I want you guys to know I really appreciate what you're doing out here," said Col. Burt Thompson, brigade commander, 1st SBCT, 25th Inf. Div., Forward Operating Base Warhorse, to his troops.

"This holiday season make sure you wear your Arctic Lightning patch with pride. You've earned it," Thompson stated. "I understand you may have some sentiment toward your old patches but always keep it close to your heart. Take it and place it in your left breast pocket right under the "U.S." which stands for "US" because we are a family. The Arctic Lightning patch represents a long tradition of Soldiers who have served and we also wear it to honor our fallen comrades. So wear your patch with pride," Thompson smiled.

"God bless you guys and have a happy Thanksgiving."

• Date Taken: 11.29.2008
• Date Posted: 12.12.2008 10:41
• Story ID: 27581