DATE: November 24, 2022 3:11:38 PM CST

Service members across Fort Leonard Wood enjoy traditional Thanksgiving feast

Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 24, 2022) — Fort Leonard Wood held its traditional Thanksgiving Day celebration Thursday in several of its dining facilities on post, with meals for service members and guests.

The meal included 7,000 pounds of turkey, 1,500 pounds of shrimp, 2,000 pounds of prime rib and 2,000 assorted cakes and pies with all of the accompaniments.

Beverly Leggett, Installation Food Program manager, said more than 13,000 meals were severed during the lunch celebration, and 31,000-plus meals were severed throughout the day.

“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.,” Leggett said. “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.”

Col. Joseph Goetz (second from right), United States Army Engineer School commandant and Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. John Brennan (right), serve trainees in Company C, 35th Engineer Battalion, a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. (U.S. Army photo Brian Hill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trainees in Company C, 35th Engineer Battalion, sit down and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal comprised of turkey, ham, prime rib and all the fixings. (U.S. Army photo Brian Hill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maj. Gen James Bonner, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, visits with a Vietnam War veteran during the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal served at Fort Leonard Wood. (U.S. Army photo Brian Hill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena visits with students in the Sapper Leader Course during Fort Leonard Wood’s traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. (U.S. Army photo Brian Hill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maj. Gen. James Bonner, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena and Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, visited patients today at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital giving out Thanksgiving gift baskets and spreading holiday cheer. (U.S. Army photo Chad Ashe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 80 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains nearly 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