Operation Turkey Drop offers Thanksgiving to Troops

Photo By Sgt. Charles Brice | From the left, Col. John Spiszer commander and of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Served up the holiday turkey for the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment at Restrepo on Thanksgiving.  

JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN

11.28.2008

Story by Sgt. Charles Brice 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

By Sgt. Charles Brice
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – The hearts and minds of many Soldiers are not ruled by an iron fist, but gently guided by what is most important to their families. Out on the battlefield, in areas isolated on mountain tops for months, Soldiers still find time to celebrate the holidays and spend time on the phone with family and friends from a war zone, on a day of giving thanks.

Manning a combat outpost in a war-torn Afghanistan is a dangerous job, especially when things are not as predictable as one would like at any given moment. The Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, put their lives on the line everyday at Combat Outpost Restrepo and many other outpost around the Korengal Valley in the Konar province.

"Things are crazy out here, one minute we are just doing our daily tasking, then the next minute we are getting attacked from two sides by the Taliban," Staff. Sgt. Marlon John a medic from Killeen, Texas with 1-26 IN, said. "That's why the Korengal Valley is one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan; unexpected and coordinated attacks happen almost on a daily basis."

Thanksgiving is a day that most Americans celebrate with their families and friends. Here in Afghanistan, some Soldiers see this day as just another day at work, but some see it as a day of rest from all the fighting. There are constant enemy attacks, which makes delivery of supplies very difficult.

A helicopter flying out to drop off supplies brings joy to Soldiers, especially when the helicopter is carrying a grand feast fit for a king. Perched on top of one of many mountains in one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, Restrepo rarely gets to see visitors from below, except for the daily skirmishes. However, today was different. The task force commander went to Restrepo to eat a Thanksgiving meal with the troops on an isolated outpost.

"I felt it was important to show the guys who are faced with the most difficult of circumstances that I appreciate their service and hard work and the sacrifices that they are making for Afghanistan and our country and the best way for me to show it is to go there and serve a good old-fashioned turkey meal to the troops out on the battlefield," Col. John Spiszer, commander of 3rd BCT, 1st ID, said. "It will bring them a taste of the holiday while they maintain their post."

Not only did the commander bring food out to the troops, Spiszer also brought calendars and candy from other Soldiers from Jalalabad Air Field to add a little pleasure as the deployment goes by.

"Total time here for me at Restrepo is about three months since the unit first got here," Pfc. Kevin James Fite of 3rd BCT, 1st ID, an infantry Soldier from Beaumont, Calif., said. "I have been to other outposts other than Restrepo for the last three months."

Because Restrepo is such a remote location, troops often rotate between Combat Outposts, Forward Operating Bases and Outposts to ease the hardship that each experiences. Seeing his commander, who is also from his hometown, was a good experience for Fite.

"It was awesome to see the commander come out to see us and on a side note, he is a fellow alumnus of my high school," Fite said. "Overall, it was a great time."

What makes Thanksgiving so appreciated amongst many Americans is the food associated with the holiday. The cook behind the food is appreciated through his trade and his ability to bring joy to the many Soldiers who do not get to experience good food on a daily basis, except for their occasional meals ready to eat.

"This was the reason I joined the Army, to cook," Sgt. Larry Darnell Tucker Jr., food service specialist from Hurt, Va., and a Soldier of 1-26 IN, said. "I feel that it is a big morale booster. Not only did the commander come out to see us, but he has gotten the chance to experience some of my cooking."

"You see the benefits of your job and you see the joy that it brings to the Soldiers and letting them know that they are not forgotten," he said.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2008
• Date Posted: 12.02.2008 11:39
• Story ID: 27088
• Location: JALALABAD, AF