Photo By Claudia Neve | Soldiers and civilians gathered for the 2024 Thanksgiving meal on November 6 at Dining...... read more read more
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Fort McCoy celebrated its annual Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 6, welcoming over 200 Soldiers and civilians to enjoy a feast that combined tradition, camaraderie, and community at dining facility 1362 in the Fort McCoy Noncommissioned Officer Academy complex at Fort McCoy.
The event, a long-standing tradition at Fort McCoy, featured a Thanksgiving meal served by "celebrity" servers, including Garrison Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Michael Corkum; Garrison Commander Col. Sheyla Baez; 181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade Commander Col. Charles Wells; and 1st Sgt. Thomas Ninkovich and Maj. Randy Downs, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort McCoy; in a dining facility filled with festive decorations. Contributions included colorful pictures and heartfelt notes created by Sparta preschool children and the children and grandchildren of dining facility staff.
These creative efforts were displayed throughout the dining area, adding a warm and personal element that enhanced the holiday spirit.
“This was a wonderful touch to the holidays, having the children create special pictures directly for our Soldiers.” said Jim Gouker with the Fort McCoy Logistics Readiness Center Food Program Management Office.
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DCT Incorporated, Fort McCoy’s food service provider, went above and beyond to make the event memorable.
“DCT Incorporated, specifically DCT’s Program Manager Karyl Habeck, and her staff, did an excellent job of providing a wonderful meal, great decorating, and a homey atmosphere. The staff even hand-decorated the cake that was on the dessert bar," Gouker said.
In addition to the traditional Thanksgiving staples, the meal featured thoughtful touches such as sparkling grape juice on tables and beautifully arranged table settings, making it a special occasion for all attendees.
This annual Thanksgiving meal is part of a cherished tradition at Fort McCoy, Gouker said, dating back to the World War II era when Soldiers training for deployment overseas enjoyed similar celebrations. The event not only honors the holiday but also reinforces the bond among Fort McCoy community members.
As the tradition continues, the focus remains on fostering gratitude, unity, and joy during the holiday season — values that resonate deeply with both the military and civilian communities, Gouker said.
Fort McCoy’s motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.”
Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.
The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortmccoywi, and on X (formerly Twitter) by searching “usagmccoy.”
Also try downloading the My Army Post app to your smartphone and set “Fort McCoy” or another installation as your preferred base. Fort McCoy is also part of Army’s Installation Management Command where “We Are The Army’s Home.”
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2024 17:19 |
| Story ID: | 485605 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 707 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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