FORT LEE -
In Afghanistan and Iraq, servicemen and women may not have been around the table with their loved ones, but they gave thanks and shared a feast with one another. 5,000 pounds of turkey and ham along with 12,000 pieces of pie were served at Bagram Air Force Base.
Closer to home, the soldiers at Fort Lee also got a feast and a surprise by who served them. For many of these soldiers, not only is it their first Thanksgiving in the Army, it's their first one away from home.
Private First Class Janaski Spaddy says the Army is doing right by the soldiers. "I was just expecting like a regular chow time and just with turkey & mashed potatoes. So its pretty awesome that these people put in all this time an effort to do this for us. It means a lot."
The spread included turkey, ham, roast beef, steamship round, crab legs, and all the sides. While many soldiers were surprised about the food being served, they were also surprised about who is serving it. A century old tradition has it that officers and non commissioned officers serve their troops.
"I hope what they get out of it, they understand that although officers lead them, they're also here to serve them and that's really what the tradition is about." said Lt. Col. Sydney Smith.
Capt. Gordon Owen says "I hope that they get that their leadership cares about them. That we are here to take care of them and that we don't mind being here. We enjoy being here."
Even Fort Lee's 2 Star General made an appearance.
"It was really amazing. I've never met a 2 star general or any kind of general in my life." said Spc. Randolph Nyarko, who's only been in the Army for 4 months.
Major General James Chambers says he gets something back from these soldiers too.
"It re-affirms what we are doing and that we are doing it well. 'Cause I get usually pretty good candid feedback from them." Chambers said.
Closer to home, the soldiers at Fort Lee also got a feast and a surprise by who served them. For many of these soldiers, not only is it their first Thanksgiving in the Army, it's their first one away from home.
Private First Class Janaski Spaddy says the Army is doing right by the soldiers. "I was just expecting like a regular chow time and just with turkey & mashed potatoes. So its pretty awesome that these people put in all this time an effort to do this for us. It means a lot."
The spread included turkey, ham, roast beef, steamship round, crab legs, and all the sides. While many soldiers were surprised about the food being served, they were also surprised about who is serving it. A century old tradition has it that officers and non commissioned officers serve their troops.
"I hope what they get out of it, they understand that although officers lead them, they're also here to serve them and that's really what the tradition is about." said Lt. Col. Sydney Smith.
Capt. Gordon Owen says "I hope that they get that their leadership cares about them. That we are here to take care of them and that we don't mind being here. We enjoy being here."
Even Fort Lee's 2 Star General made an appearance.
"It was really amazing. I've never met a 2 star general or any kind of general in my life." said Spc. Randolph Nyarko, who's only been in the Army for 4 months.
Major General James Chambers says he gets something back from these soldiers too.
"It re-affirms what we are doing and that we are doing it well. 'Cause I get usually pretty good candid feedback from them." Chambers said.
