DATE: November 21, 2019 5:58:24 PM CST

Fort Leonard Wood gearing up to serve more than 3 tons of turkey this Thanksgiving

Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 21, 2019) – Fort Leonard Wood plans to hold its traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration Nov. 28 in several of its dining facilities on post, with meals for service members and their spouses and dependents, as well as veterans and retired service members.

According to William Moffitt, Installation Food Program manager, plans are set to serve nearly 12,000 meals during the lunch celebration and 30,000-plus meals throughout the day – utilizing 7,328 pounds of turkey, 1,200 pounds of shrimp, 2,000 pounds of beef and 2,000 assorted cakes and pies with all the accompaniments.

More than 300 food-service employees prepare the feast and serve it alongside teams of unit leadership.

“The Thanksgiving meal for food service professionals is our chance to make those trainees and leaders guiding them feel good, and to show our appreciation and understanding of what they are doing to be prepared for what they may have to do in the future.” Moffitt said.

Family and friends are welcome to dine with their military member in the individual’s assigned dining facility from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. However, an RSVP may be required under some unit’s policies.

Veterans and retired service members are invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day meal between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Double DFAC, located at 6111 Indiana Ave.

“It’s one of the largest dining facilities in the (Department of Defense),” Moffitt said.

The Logistics Readiness Center Diner, DFAC 3223, will serve the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy and Basic Officer Leader Course Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The 2019 Thanksgiving holiday meal rate is $9.10 for all visitors, except spouses and other dependents of service members E4 and below, who pay the discounted holiday meal rate of $6.80 per person.

“It has always been a memorable day each year seeing everyone slowdown from the high intensity of training to pause and reflect in the American way with family and friends,” Moffitt said. “Seeing the looks of excitement, relief and satisfaction on the faces of trainees and their newly found friends and battle buddies after finishing this feast is a sight to see.”

Dining Facility assignments — Thursday, Nov. 28:

— DFAC 630 (701st MP’s), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 653 (2ND Battalion 48th Infantry Regiment), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 754 (2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 820 (1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 836 (3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 908 (795th Military Police Battalion), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 930 (787th Military Police Battalion), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 1010 (1st Engineer Brigade), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 2105 (43rd Adjutant General Reception Battalion), 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— DFAC 1784 (Serving Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps detachments), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 1792 (Serving 84th Chemical Battalion, 58th Transportation Battalion), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— DFAC 6111 — 6111 Indiana Ave. — Two dining rooms will be open, and this facility will support veterans and family members who are not visiting service members assigned to another DFAC., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reporters wishing to cover this event should contact the Public Affairs Office at 573-563-5038, no later than 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Fort Leonard Wood is preparing to serve more than 3 tons of turkey this Thanksgiving to service members on the installation. It will take more than 300 food-service employees to prepare the traditional feast. (Photo by Dawn Arden.)

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission.