Services provides Airmen a taste of home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 435th Services Squadron put together a vast Thanksgiving feast for Airmen and their families at the Rheinland Inn and Lindberg Hof Dining Facilities Nov. 27. 

As with most elaborate meals, cooking started long before Thanksgiving Day. Services members worked a 16-hour day prior to Thanksgiving to ensure food was prepared in time for the big meal. 

"Our outstanding dedicated staff worked around the clock to make this dinner a great one," said Lt. Col. Dawn Lancaster, 435th SVS commander. "This is what we have dining facilities for -- to take care of our Airmen and their families. This is our job and we are all proud and excited to do it." 

In addition to the extravagant dinner, several commanders, chiefs and first sergeants volunteered to serve food and help out during the big day. Amongst the distinguished volunteers was Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. General Brady took the liberty of carving the first slice of turkey to kick off the Thanksgiving celebration at the Rheinland Inn. 

"This is a great opportunity for me. I'm served in my job by many of these great young Airmen," he said. "Many of them are on duty today. It's such a privilege for Litha and I to be here to help serve this wonderful meal and wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I'm immensely proud of all that our Airmen do." 

As food was being served, more Airmen and families poured through the dining facility doors. More than 800 people lined up with their trays anxiously awaiting the lavish feast at the Rheinland Inn on Ramstein and the Lindberg Hof on Kapaun. 

"We've prepared an array of food for today's celebration," said Airman 1st Class Lance Michaud, 435th SVS. "In anticipation of today's guests, we've fixed 520 pounds of turkey, 172 pounds of ham, 200 pounds of steamship round, and 58 pies, along with a plethora of side trimmings." 

Among the crowd were not only Airmen and families who were enjoying the holiday away from work, but also many that had to perform their duties before they had a chance to chow down. 

"I don't mind working on this holiday at all," said Senior Airman Amber Moor, 435th SVS. "Doing my job, serving this holiday meal is fun and humbling. Anything that brings all of us together to break bread and have a good time while were stationed this far away from home is great." 

And based on the sight of the empty trays, the meal must have been a good one.
"I really enjoyed eating at the dining facility today," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Blank, 86th Maintenance Squadron combat structural technician. "The food was great, and it was nice being able to walk from my dorm room and just a few paces away a gourmet meal was waiting for me." 

Not only did the dining facilities prepare a successful Thanksgiving meal, but they also achieved the USAFE Food Services Excellence award prior to Thanksgiving, making them the number one food service operation in the command. They will now go on to compete at Air Force-level for the John L. Hinnessy award, the oldest food services award, established in 1957.