Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 25, 2021) — 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 8,000 pounds of turkey, 1,500 pounds of shrimp, 2,000 pounds of beef and 3,000 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 that is training here on Fort Leonard Wood, their table will look different — the faces will be different — but the warmth which is 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 deserts, we serve those who serve.”

Maj. Gen. James Bonner, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, visits with Soldiers in training as they enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal at Fort Leonard Wood. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Curtis)
Fort Leonard Wood senior leadership join more than 600 food-service employees to serve more than 13,000 traditional Thanksgiving meals to service members across the installation. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Curtis)
Command Sgts. Maj. Rodney Russell, 1st Engineer Brigade (left), and Randolph Delapena (right), MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood, speak with Soldiers in Training as they enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal at Fort Leonard Wood. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Curtis)
Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena stop by the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to deliver Thanksgiving baskets to patients. (U.S. Army photo by Chad Ashe)
Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena (right) deliver Thanksgiving baskets to patients at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. (U.S. Army photo by 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 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