Photo By 1st Sgt. Denise Slater | Staff members perform at the one year anniversary of the opening of the Memorial...... read more read more
MOSUL, Iraq - "Hands Around the World" was the official name for the one year anniversary celebration of the Memorial Dining Facility on Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq.
The Memorial DFAC replaced the Old Glory DFAC after a suicide bomber attack on Dec. 21, 2004.
The new facility was built on a different location for security purposes and took months to build.
"Everyone worked hard to make this DFAC what it is," said Mr. Rozell Swanson, Kellogg, Brown and Root Area Manager. "We decided not to cut corners."
Swanson was only about five feet outside of the DFAC the day the bomb went off. Though he does not speak of the immediate events following the explosion, he says the focus that evening turned to feeding soldiers on the base.
"We still had a job to do," said Swanson. "It happened at 12:07 p.m. and we had to have something prepared by 5:00 p.m. so the Soldiers could eat."
Swanson describes how his team could only provide soup and sandwiches until the kitchen was cleared to start preparing hot food again. Even after the kitchen was open, the dining hall remained closed. Units would come to the DFAC for several months and take away enough food for their unit in mermite containers.
"It was quite a feat," said Swanson.
The event was supposed to be a celebration, but many could not help but to stop and remember the 26 people that died as a result of the bombing. Some stopped to take pictures of the memorial plaque and others discussed some of the specific names of individuals that passed away after the plaque was completed.
Command Sgt. Maj. Freddy Rivera mentioned during his speech that he would work on getting a new plaque to correctly reflect all that have passed away as a result of the Dec. 2004 bombing.
"This is not just about the military, everyone here is making sacrifices," said Rivera. In reference to the new DFAC, Rivera said, "This is by far the best FOB in the entire theatre and this is the best dining facility."
Serka staff from all over the world participated in the celebration. There was dancing, singing and karaoke. The facility was decorated for the event and the kitchen staff out did themselves with decorated cakes, watermelon carvings and lavish trays of appetizers.
"We wanted to strive for uniqueness, we take food to another level," said Swanson. "The Soldiers deserve so much."
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2006 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 6257 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,089 |
| Downloads: | 510 |
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