By Army 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz
Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - Task Force Pacemaker Soldiers from the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) out of Fort Lewis, Wash., celebrated Thanksgiving with great food despite being away from home.
For some Soldiers, this was their first Thanksgiving away from home. Despite being without their loved ones, TF Pacemaker Soldiers had a lot to be thankful for. Cooks offered mouth-watering roasted turkey, honey-glazed smoked ham, shrimp cocktail and homemade mashed potatoes. Officers and senior non-commissioned officers had the opportunity to serve lower enlisted Soldiers to thank them for their hard work throughout the deployment.
"Thanksgiving is a time to think back on the past year and be thankful for the blessings we have been blessed with," said Army 1st Sgt. Eugene Russell, the Headquarters & Support Company first sergeant for 864th ECB (H) from Delhi, La. "I am grateful for my health and thankful for all our Soldiers that are serving our country and to me it is a great honor to be serving the Soldiers in 864th Engineer Battalion. If it wasn't for all these great Americans, there would not be a need for me and for their sacrifice I am thankful."
Soldiers from 585th Engineer Company working at Forward Operating Base Jaji, now called FOB Herrera, also celebrated Thanksgiving. For the "Roughnecks," this Thanksgiving was especially important. They have been though very challenging time during this deployment. They suffered the loss of three Soldiers Aug. 28: Army Sgt. 1st Class Rocky Herrera; Army Sgt. Cory Clark; and Army Sgt. Bryce Howard. The Roughnecks ate dinner with Army Brig. Gen. Rodney Anderson, the deputy commanding general of support, Combined Joint Task Force-82. He initially carved three pieces of turkey, which were dedicated to the three fallen Soldiers.
"I am grateful to be part of an outstanding unit and on a winning team," said Army 1st Lt. Jason King, the 585th Company executive officer. "It feels good to see the Soldiers, who will be living in FOB Herrera, satisfied and thankful for the work we have done."
| Date Taken: |
11.22.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
11.26.2007 14:05 |
| Story ID: |
14130 |
| Location: |
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AF |
| Web Views: |
101 |
| Downloads: |
47 |
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