DATE: November 25, 2024 2:53:17 PM CST

Fort Leonard Wood warrior restaurants prepare to serve more than 12,000 Thanksgiving meals

By Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (November 25, 2024) — Fort Leonard Wood plans to hold its traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration Nov. 28 in 10 warrior restaurants across the installation, with meals for service members, as well as a specific time and location for Department of Defense ID cardholders, Gold Star families, retirees and their families.

According to Beverly Leggett, Installation Food Program manager, plans are set to serve more than 12,000 meals during the lunch celebration, and 33,000-plus meals throughout the day — using 10,000 pounds of turkey, 3,000 pounds of shrimp, 3,500 pounds of prime rib and 30,000 assorted cakes and pies with all the accompaniments.

More than 800 food-service employees prepare the feast and serve it alongside senior leadership, Leggett said.

“I consider the Thanksgiving meal on Fort Leonard Wood to be the ‘Super Bowl of Food Service,’ which highlights the talent and commitment of food service professionals and the comradery we see displayed across the installation,” Leggett said. “Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated with family and friends, and for every service member training here on Fort Leonard Wood, their table will look different — the faces will be different — but the warmth felt will remain the same. It is with great honor that for every slice of turkey, candied sweet potato, assorted salads and delicious festive desserts, we serve those who serve.”

The Thanksgiving Day meal for DOD ID cardholders, retirees, Gold Star families and veterans with access to the installation is from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Bldg. 6111, located on Indiana Avenue, Leggett said.

The Bldg. 3223 Army Warrior Restaurant near the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence NCO Academy — commonly referred to as Tony’s — will serve their Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 27. They will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen with the breakfast meal Nov. 29.

The Thanksgiving holiday meal rate is $11.40 for all visitors, except spouses and other dependents of service members E-4 and below, who pay the discounted holiday meal rate of $8.45.

Leggett said she is grateful to be part of “an amazing team” at Fort Leonard Wood.

“To serve a community on Thanksgiving shows the dedication and excellence of the staff for each warrior restaurant,” Leggett said. “It is that commitment which allows the spirit of Thanksgiving to shine through in service for each customer throughout the day.”

Army Warrior Restaurant assignments, Nov. 28:

•            Bldg. 653 (2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment), closed for the Thanksgiving lunch meal, open for regular breakfast and dinner meals.

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

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

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

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

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

•            Bldg. 1010 (169th and 554th Engineer Battalions), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•            Bldg. 2105 (43rd Adjutant General Battalion), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

•            Bldg. 1784 (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps units), closed for Thanksgiving and the following day. They will reopen for regular operational hours Dec 2.

•            Bldg. 1792 (84th Chemical Battalion and 58th Transportation Battalion), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•            Bldg. 6111 (6111 Indiana Ave.), 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Two dining rooms will be open to support DOD ID cardholders, retirees, Gold Star families and veterans with access to the installation.

Soldiers enjoy a special treat at the dessert table while celebrating Thanksgiving 2023 in one of Fort Leonard Wood’s Army Warrior Restaurants. (Photo Credit: Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office VISION ID FH875)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media wishing to attend a Thanksgiving lunch meal should respond to the Public Affairs Office at 573.563.5038 no later than 10 a.m. Nov. 27, 2024.

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.