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SERVING THANKSGIVING DINNER are (l-r) Major General Robert Wilson, Major Joe Hoogstad, Chief Warrant Officer Alberto Sanchez and Command Sgt. Major Terrance McWilliams. |
For the past 15 years, the US Army and The Salvation Army have joined forces to provide holiday meals for communities in El Paso County, Colorado. This year, volunteers served hot meals at five different dining sites to seniors, families, service workers, and the homeless, who all sat side by side and enjoyed the dinner prepared for them by the food service staff at the Ft. Carson Army base.
Major General Robert Wilson, Ft. Carson commander, says “This is a highlight, to be involved with this great community event open to all people wanting a good meal, some fellowship around the tables and perhaps an opportunity to pick up a warm jacket or coat provided for the occasion by the Colorado Springs Adult Rehabilitation Center.”
Additionally, several hundred meals were taken to shut-ins and those unable to get out. Some of the sites provided a hot take-out turkey dinner for those having to work on the holiday.
The Salvation Army of El Paso County, under the leadership of Majors Joe and Eileen Hoogstad, provided all the food items for the dinner. The local food bank, Care and Share, donated the turkeys. “Hundreds of volunteers make this wonderful holiday dinner a success,” said Hoogstad.
When the last ladle of gravy hit the spuds on Thanksgiving Day almost 5,000 people had a thankful heart for the actions of two armies working together.
With the advent of Christmas, the two Armies will once again join forces and prepare and serve a ham dinner to those in need of a holiday meal and good fellowship.
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