Ivy Soldiers feed local community a meal of thanks

Photo By Sgt. Kelsey Simmons | Culinary specialists assigned to the 4th Infantry Division transfer Thanksgiving meals into a truck, at the Culinary Academy, Fort Carson, Colorado. The food was delivered to a local Salvation Army to serve to Colorado Springs community members in need on Thanksgiving Day. ​(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kelsey Simmons)  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

11.25.2021

Story by Sgt. Kelsey Simmons 

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Ivy Soldiers feed local community a meal of thanks

Thanksgiving morning, hungry Colorado Springs community members lined up at the local Salvation Army to eat a meal prepared and served by 4th Infantry Division Soldiers.
Ivy Soldiers from across the installation volunteered their time throughout the week, often overnight, to ensure community members in need would be able to go to sleep with a full belly on Thanksgiving.
“Over the last four days, we’ve cooked 300 turkeys and multiple pounds of green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce,” said Sgt. Jason Peacock, a culinary specialist assigned to 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. “I volunteer to do this every year. I love it.”
After the food was prepared, it was delivered to the local Salvation Army. There, Maj. Gen. David Hodne, the commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, the senior enlisted leader of the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, donned their serving utensils and scooped hefty portions onto the plate of every hungry person who walked through the doors.
While the command team served food to people who wanted to sit inside and eat, both civilian and Soldier volunteers prepared to-go plates to be delivered to those in need throughout Colorado Springs.
“As active duty Soldiers from all over the world, volunteering allows us to be a part of the community,” said 1st Lt. Stephanie Parlamas, a human resources officer assigned to 53rd Signal Battalion (Satellite Control), U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, who volunteered her personal time to serve. “It feels really good to be able to give back to the community on my day off.”
The 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson have a steadfast relationship with Colorado Springs and surrounding communities. For approximately 30 years, military members serving at Fort Carson have partnered with the Salvation Army to provide Thanksgiving meals for those in need in the Pikes Peak region.
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• Date Taken: 11.25.2021
• Date Posted: 12.07.2021 18:51
• Story ID: 410131
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US